I went through this a few years ago. I think whether you want passive or active, depends more on the efficiency of the speakers and second the amp specs, input and output sensitity. I found a very good explanation of different types on the Goldmund website. I then kept seeing Khozmo in a lot of conversations. If you have your amp specs Arek will steer you. The volume control comes with different resistance options. I have heard people say resistors don’t have much to do with sound, but they do. I got two resistor upgrades with my Khozmo. I can achieve over 100 dB with 60% volume setting. My amp can achieve full output at 1.25 V and my Dac puts out 2V so that explains it. Bottom line is if you are not sure about all this get your specs together and talk to a vendor. Arek , for example, will tell you if a passive will work. In my situation, I don’t know what an active would do other than add gain and have an influence on what your system sounds like, for better or worse.
Passive preamp
Hello. I wanted to learn more about running a preamp in passive mode versus active mode. Am I correct in thinking that passive mode means it is not altering the audio signal? My question relates to a Schiit Frida s that I am using in passive mode, using it essentially as a switching device. Am I missing anything?.