The dual mono LSA in addition to balance feature also has very fine adjustment of volume.
I just ordered a second LSA. My original is now in our demo room at the shop. While I'm waiting for my new one I'm using my Slagle autoformer passive. This unit which I built using the Slagleman modules co-designed with John Chapman offers stepped volume controls that incorporate a large step switch (3.75 dB) and trim switch that in combination can accomplish attenuation in 1.25 dB steps. In comparison, the S&B transformers sold for DIY projects and used by other manufacturers were mostly 24 step designs with very large steps at the beginning, then tapering off to 2 dB steps. Bent and others circumvented that but it came at a price.
FWIW there is not a lot of difference between the Slagle and LSA. I would give the LSA the advantage though and as of yet, I have not heard an active line stage come through my system that exceeded the purity of either of those passives, and especially the LSA. I have my own opinion to contribute to the debate on dynamics and I'm not going to rehash them here, you can read that elsewhere. Suffice it to say I'm not using an active preamp and have no plans to do so in the future.
I just ordered a second LSA. My original is now in our demo room at the shop. While I'm waiting for my new one I'm using my Slagle autoformer passive. This unit which I built using the Slagleman modules co-designed with John Chapman offers stepped volume controls that incorporate a large step switch (3.75 dB) and trim switch that in combination can accomplish attenuation in 1.25 dB steps. In comparison, the S&B transformers sold for DIY projects and used by other manufacturers were mostly 24 step designs with very large steps at the beginning, then tapering off to 2 dB steps. Bent and others circumvented that but it came at a price.
FWIW there is not a lot of difference between the Slagle and LSA. I would give the LSA the advantage though and as of yet, I have not heard an active line stage come through my system that exceeded the purity of either of those passives, and especially the LSA. I have my own opinion to contribute to the debate on dynamics and I'm not going to rehash them here, you can read that elsewhere. Suffice it to say I'm not using an active preamp and have no plans to do so in the future.