Bent Audio Autoformer vs Tube Pre

I'm using ATSAH (Hypex NC1200) amps and Lynx Hilo.

Pot in box doesn't work....needs to be remote volume controlled.

The four key specs you need to really evaluate how a passive preamp can be used in your system are the output voltage and output impedance of the source and the input sensitivity and input impedance of the amp. Neither Lynx or ATSAH provide these specs although I will go on the assumption that the Lynx outputs at least 2V and has a low enough output impedance since it is a solid state design. I do see the amp has 26 db of gain which might indicate an input sensitivity high enough (ideally below 1.5V) but the input impedance would be the more critical factor and should be greater than 50k ohms, the higher the better.

If the specs do not line up properly it is still possible to build something using the Bent modules and remote, but you might want to consider buffered outputs that would allow for better matching to the amp. Perhaps you can check with the manufacture to see if they can give you the specs.

Jason, how has your sound changed? I know before you stated you felt like you needed a Dude (active tubed pre) in the mix due to the sonic characteristics of the Ncores. Lynx more euphonic than the Halo I presume?

The passive game is interesting. I preferred my Dude to the LSA as well, but if you are bent on building your system around a passives parameters, I guess it could work. If money is an issue, finding a DAC with pre-amp functionality seems like another pragmatic option.

Specs wise the amps are fine as is the Lynx. I've got that covered.

Thanks.

Well if you have the specs figured out and a balanced unit with remote is what your desire the Bent modules are going to be your best bet. In addition to a Lightspeed and Warpspeed (balanced) I built an autoformer volume control using the Slagleman units co-designed by John Chapman and Dave Slagle. All are very transparent and while I would give the nod to the LDR units for their increased transparency and purity in transferring the signal, building a balanced unit and one with a remote on top of it is not nearly as feasible.

I have considered building a balanced version using the Bent modules as well and may ultimately get around to it someday, but first I am having a custom direct coupled balanced preamp built that will serve as both a phono and tape head preamp with all the gain in that portion of the circuit and unity gain and buffered output in the linestage portion of the circuit. It will be interesting to compare this to the passive preamps I have.