Hi Bill, you had a wonderful system posted on this site, I'm sorry you felt the need to delete it. I have had my system posted for the past 4 years and fortunately have had no issues or problems, I hope that continues to be the case. |
Grannyring,
I like your confidence, the problem is it is near impossible to account for another person's taste or preferences, very hard to do despite how good your active preamp may be. |
Another typical logical reply from Larry. Simply compare your system with the preamp and then running the direct stream into the amplifier and just listen and decide.you could try a relatively inexpensive passive like the Lightspeed and compare. Some audio systems will sound better with an active preamp and others will sound better without them. |
Nelson Pass may believe active preamps yield better sound or why would he bother designing and building them? He is known for doing much personal research and much prolonged listening sessions to test. I don't believe he's wasting his time. If he felt passives were the ultimate solution, that would be his primary focus, but it isn't. Perhaps like other listeners who've tried both options, he found that high quality actives provide better sound. It seems unreasonable he'd attach his name, reputation and effort to a component he finds sonically inferior.
it seems based on his actions he is a believer in an active preamp, yet he recognizes the benetfit of passives/direct connection under certain circumstances. It just seems if he truly felt passives were the better choice he'd be building them as part of his Pass Labs line, he is not. I'd say he has integrity and chose to build actives simply because they sound better to him. What other reason would he have to move in this direction? My 2 cents worth.
Charles, |
So you feel you know his "true motive"? Profit? possible I would say(you can't substain a business without a profit). Or how about he honestly believes in what he chooses to build because he thinks it's a better sonic path. I imagine those customers who prefer to buy an active do so for improving their home audio sound quality, just a thought.I'd give Nelson Pass more credit for his commercial decisions than your conclusions. Build a product you genuinely believe in,do it right and the market sucesss will hopefully follow. It would seem he'd have these priorities in order. |
George,
I happen to agree with your assessment of the OP's predicament, too much system gain. I definitely feel that passive preamps have their role and can also be very effective as the right solutions for certain systems. Furthermore I believe that in some systems Passive is the way to go, you have to try it and listen. No doubt that Nelson pass appreciates these certain situations himself. My point is that he would not take time to build actives if he felt they had no sonic advantages for many listeners. I would love the opportunity for Nelson Pass to share his thoughts on the merits of passive vs active preamps and why he chooses to build very high level actives.
Charles, |
Onhwy61,
Granted only Nelson Pass can fully explain his chosen product pathway decisions, not us. Do you really think he believes a passive is the best sonic solution and just builds actives for their popularity? Possible, but not probable IMO. Again if you personally feel passive/direct is better, no problem with that as it's your call. My own encounters say otherwise, that's just me. Choice is wonderful. |
Grannyring,
Yes, integrity, that's exactly why I chose that word in my earlier post responding to George. The quote of Nelson Pass that George often cites does make sense and applies to "specific" situations. It doesn't fit all situations. If Pass felt passive were the ultimate solution, I believe he would devote his talent in that direction. Instead he put considerable effort,time and his exceptional talents towards "active" preamps. I don't believe he's playing games and making them to satisfy unknowing audio dummies. No, he builds them because he apparently feels they offer the best choice for superior sound quality, this defines his integrity and sincerity IMO. As we all can agree on, it's up to each listener to make fhis individual choice. Bill, your chef/fine dining analogy was a good one.
Charles, |
Hi Bill, well, you have had the Light speed on three separate occasions and each time you felt your active provided better sound. I honestly don't see how you expect the difference the fourth time around to change but we will see. You will do the comparisons again but in my opinion the Yamamoto DAC
will sound better with your active line stage,it will be more musically complete and realistic sounding. As you know Bill, I have used this DAC for the past four years and it is marvelous. It is really terrific in connection with my active line stage. Tonality and harmonically sorted out with excellent dynamics and musical flow and pace. It should mate beautifully with your custom Dude preamp. I look forward to your listening impressions.
Charles |
Hi Bill,
Just off the UPS truck, yes it will open up substantially, just give it time. It is a well balanced blend of transparency and very organic character . Keep me posted. It became even better with the Duelund CAST capacitors. |
George,
Grannyring has given logical explanations for the 4th attempt using your Lightspeed. He feels it's a very good product(and has say so numerous times0.
He feels it's a very good value.
He likes the simpler is better concept in theory.
His system make up and current components are different and perhaps more favorable this time.
He's opened minded.
I wouldn't say this sounds like someone "obsessed" with the TRL Dude. Rather with direct comparison in his system the Dude provided superior sound quality. Seems like he's been quite fair with your Lightspeed. He has more patience than me.
Charles, |
Bill (Grannyring)
Your credibility and honesty are well recognized on audiogon. Common sense dictacts that some will prefer passive and others active line stages, it just depends. I don't understand the put down comments for those who don't find the Lightspeed(or passive/direct source) right for them after an audition in their system. It comes across as petty.
Charles, |
