An experiment to try that will indicate if your source puts out enough current to drive the input stage of the amplifier is to connect direct to the amp with nothing in between and begin with source material that is reasonably quiet. This must be done with care for obvious reasons but it should be easy to increase the volume of the material on the CD to the point that it is easily driving your amp to clip. If this happens on quiet to moderate material than you should proceed with the borrowing of a passive preamp. Most sources will not properly drive the inputstage of most amps into clipping properly. Reference line has a "B" version that is balanced. This is probably as good as passive can get and it has a remote to boot. It is likely that unless your amp falls into the big Krell/Levinson catagory, passive is not for you. The improved resolution from removing a full gainstage is addictive(especially if you are removing a poor gain stage). Sadly it is likely that you will find the trade off for the improved highend resolution will cost in bass authority, dynamics, soundstage and most importantly the sense of control that a good active stage imparts to your music. It is a common rule of thumb that the soundstage is a direct result of the size of the preamp powersupply. Passive has no powersupply ... If you can't tell I have taken great pains to go down the road that your contemplating only to find a hole in my pocket book and much wasted time but everyone has to learn for themself in audio. Best of luck on your journey.
PASSIVE Preamp and LIFELESSNESS?
I have read alot of internet posts and opinions on Preamp and the prevailing train of thought for Passive Preamps is that they are very transparent, open, almost spooky in thier low noise floor, but that they suck out the life of music. I understand why an active may be better because they have the gain needed to drive long cable runs. But if your amplifier and preamplifier are close enough and have agreeing impedences and specifications then the passive would "seem" better than an active preamp. I am confused about the way a preamp is supposed to work in this particular situation, because I thought (not deeply, albeit)a Preamp passive or active was only supposed to pass the signal from input to output as "untouched" as possible? Having no preamp at all would be ideal, if you needed only one input. Wouldnt the Passive Preamp be the better of the two evils (active/passive)? I am asking specifically because I am at the crossroads of upgrading my system. I have a pair of Von Schweikert VR-4 originals and I need a new preamp, amplifier, and DAC to use with a Pioneer DV-414 transport. I would like to be as minimalist as possible which is why I am asking about passive preamps. Monolithic has a hybrid unit that is passive until you hit hit a certain point on the volume control and then the volume control becomes active. Cool, but no remote. Adcom has the unit that is leading my race right now with the the GFP-750, which has the best of both worlds, acitve and passive. I encourage any positive or critiqing comments on my system selection or concerning the topic at hand. The only thing I am concrete on it the speakers, I LOVE THEM, they are staying. Thanks for your time.