2. amps-preamps
  3. 125908-371

Active and passive preamp in one chain ?

As I just discovered, my Redgum integrated amp has a passive preamp in it. No wonder, I don't have enough gain and consequencially not enough weight in sound when playing records. A lot of transparency though. To compensate I currently run phono/cassette deck/ Redgum at the silght expense of resolution.
How would it be if I added, say, some tube active preamp? No, not ready to go fully separates at the moment. Running MM cartridge and phono gain setting is fixed at 46db, I think. In other words, replacing deck as a sort of an active preamp with a true active preamp.
inna
inna OP
5,245 posts
 
Xrayz, thank you very much. Yes, Lyndy from Redgum is very nice, I talked to her a few times. I'll talk to them.
What did you upgrade to from the Redgum?
No, I only have my AcousTech phono designed by Ron Sutherland which I think is very good but not flexible, you can either set it to MM or MC. I have no plans to replace it until I have a few thousand dollars to get a great tube phono stage or at least Gryphon or Sutherland solid state.
xrayz
78 posts
 
I went to a McCormack DNA-1 and I think the little Mapletree tube pre, don't remember the model right now. Then a lot more tube preamps and a couple different power amps along the way. Now I'm back to an integrated lol.  (Music Culture 701)
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
I misread.  sorry. i missed you were playing vinyl.  its not passive vs. Active, but that you lack a phono stage, or phono preamp at all.

These are funky beasts.  not only do they provide high gain, they must equalize the sound.  the eq curve is to minimize noise from the vinyl and dust. 

Phono stages imply they are active because of the ggain and eq.  lots of integrated amps and preamps include the phono stage, which has dedicated in and outs.


Erik
inna OP
5,245 posts
 
Sure I got phono preamp, Acoustech, then the signal goes to the deck, then to the integrated that has a passive preamp section.
robr45's avatar
robr45
317 posts
 
Try a tube buffer from Musical Fidelity or Yaquin. 
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