I think all the information above is very good, not mentioned (unless I missed it) is the music forst which is a TVC and is very nice
I recently did something of a passive shoot out using the Music First copper, Promitheus Ref with Double C-Core, Placette, and both balanced and unbalanced EVO nude attenuators.
I could have lived with any of them happily preferring the Promitheus.
Ultimately I have choosen a tube distinctions soulmate and a TRL battery unit as the ones I will keep. But this is not purely for sonic reasons but some convenience and aesthetics as well.
IMO, the use of passives is very system dependent....if you have the right output from your front end and the right gain structure throughout, can keep the IC's short and preferably use unshielded IC's so capacitance is not an issue the results can be terrific. Now these are important conditions and not easy to meet without other issues popping up.
I recently did something of a passive shoot out using the Music First copper, Promitheus Ref with Double C-Core, Placette, and both balanced and unbalanced EVO nude attenuators.
I could have lived with any of them happily preferring the Promitheus.
Ultimately I have choosen a tube distinctions soulmate and a TRL battery unit as the ones I will keep. But this is not purely for sonic reasons but some convenience and aesthetics as well.
IMO, the use of passives is very system dependent....if you have the right output from your front end and the right gain structure throughout, can keep the IC's short and preferably use unshielded IC's so capacitance is not an issue the results can be terrific. Now these are important conditions and not easy to meet without other issues popping up.