Maybe the Pre is the heart. I tried the passive route after reading a lot of the arguments for going that way. But for me it was missing the life I get now with my tube pre and SS amp. Love the musicality, it draws me into the music.
Is the preamp the “heart” of the system?
For many years my preamp was a passive devise. I was in love with the transparency. Then one day I to try an active one. With so many Stereophile “the best at any price” rave reviews I decided to go with the Audible Illusions M3B with the John Curl phono boards. I was thrilled! Finally I understood. They sound finally had meat on the bones and a musicality that I was missing. And it was just as transparent! I guess the preamp IS the heart.