2. amps-preamps
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Who is using passive preamps and why?

Seldom has there been any discussions on passive preamps in the forums and although my experience with them has been limited I have found them so far to be very enjoyable and refreshingly different. They seem to fall into their own category, somewhere between solid state and tube. Finding a preamp that is satisfing has been difficult. Some active solid state preamps can be very good but they seem to inject grain to some degree in the upper registers and some tube preamps are not too far behind. So far I think they should at least be matched up with an amp that has sufficient gain which is often overlooked. Which passives are you using and with what amp? Why do you like them?
phd
violin
120 posts
 
Phd, I once had a Placette passive preamp for several years after previously using active tube preamps, I got rid of it and went back to active tubes, why? Because I agree with some of what has been stated above, the lack of deep base, not nearly as dynamic, and everything started to sound the same IMHO. Also the amp to be used with one, needs to have a low voltage input for full output in order to match well with a passive.
I have a Herron Audio VTSP-3 preamp which to my ears is musical, quiet and dynamic and it's tonality is as true to the instrument or voice as any preamp that I have heard or tried. I suggest that you try one before you make any decision to go passive. See if you can borrow a demo from a dealer because it does take time to break in. I do not think that you would be disappointed.
All the best.
Carter
phd OP
1,008 posts
 
Violin, could you use a sub with a passive to deliver the needed deep bass or would that defeat the main purpose for using a passive to begin with? I noticed some integrated amps, both tube and solid state use a passive pre, seems like it could take the guess-work out of matching separates.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
SMc Audio VRE-1 will make you rethink passive as non-dynamoc and wimpy.
phd OP
1,008 posts
 
TVAD, you have the ultimate preamp! The VRE-1 is very spendy but beautiful and one day I will own one even if I have to wait. I understand that all the years of Steve McCormack's culmative knowledge has gone into the VRE-1. Even his earlier model the TLC-1 is not chopped liver but certainly not in the same category as the VRE-1. However I never thought of the TLC-1 lacking in dynamics especially when paired with one of his amps.
phd OP
1,008 posts
 
Herman, thankyou sir for correcting me and pointing out this subject has been debated to death. Realistically I think that most subjects that have been put forth in the forums have been repeated over & over again. However there are some new products that have evolved that could be discussed & their attributes and possibly offer some insight to someone that is considering a passive.
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