2. amps-preamps
  3. 1404294640

Active vs Passive Pre amps

I know this is'nt a new subject, but I would appreciate your views folks. At the moment I am using a Passive Pre, equivelant to the Music First Audio baby reference, but built by an independent engineer. I use it into my ARC Reference 75 power amp, into Daedalas DA-RMa speakers. To be frank, I am very happy with it. The only drawback is the dual volume pots only have about 18 stops available, so you tend to go from too soft to too loud. When the dealer delivered the ARC power amp, he used it briefly with an ARC Ref 3 Pre and I preferred the passive, but it was a limited listen with a new, non run in Power amp.

The passive seemed more neutral and detailed, the ARC a little rich and lush. I know you are supposed to lose dynamics with a passive pre. The question I suppose, is whether it is worth trying to get hold of an ARC Ref 3 or maybe an LS 26/27 and comparing again? Do you think ARC power amps should sound better with an active ARC Pre, which are'nt cheap, even second hand? If I am going to stick with a passive pre, are there better options than the MFA baby reference?

Thanks
david12

Showing 1 response by david12

david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
Thanks for your comments everyone. As to the dynamics issue, if there is one, some of you dispute that, I thought there was a difference between resistor and transformer based passives. My unit uses the same transformers as the MFA Baby reference. Again, my understanding is that transformer based units have less limitation on dynamics and headroom.

It sounds like I am going to have to spend a lot to improve on my passive unit, which only cost me about $1400 second hand, less than the cost of the transformers themselves.

Has anyone any comments on the quality hierachy of the ARC pre's. My understanding is that it would be in this order LS27>Ref3>LS26, I may be wrong.
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