Passive Preamps: Jumping Ship


I have been using passive preamps in my system for about 2 years, Reference Line, Mod Squad, EVS. On a whim, I bought a Klimo Merlin Preamp here on Audiogon a week ago. I dont know if its "synergy" the Siemens 6922 Gold Pins I put in, the power cord, or the what, but I am smarting at what ive been missing for the past 2 years. The Klimo has more weight, precence, more depth, better bass, and sounded more "real". The only area which the passives bettered the Klimo is transparency.

I am amazed and pleased and may have finally reached where I have searching to be for the last 12 years in Audio reprodcution.
justlisten

Showing 1 response by pcanis

I was using the anlogue outputs of my Theta Miles cd player (balanced upgrade) for the past year or so, and just finally splurged to get a preamp for my system (a BAt vk-31). Your discription parallels mine. More presence, more fullness, more depth (increased bass?), the notes for example on some Maria Callas that I use as a reference much more "there" and rich.

I haven't noticed the lack of transparancey because I've been so taken by the increase in body and presence. There might be a few less creaks and whispers, but it is more than made up for the increase in growls and moans (? that make sense?)

pcanis