Preamp recommendation

Schiit Freya +

Yes now you’ve got it all.
Passive or tube or solid state, single ended or balanced. with remote, I recommend these a lot.

Cheers George

I bought a cheap passive from Amazon that was xlr to try. It was the Nobsound Mini Fully-Balanced/Single-Ended Passive Preamp

.
This is the circuit, for that Nobsound Fully Balanced.
For it to be proper balanced the blue pot at the front would need 4 mono alps segments not 2 as it has it would be twice as long.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1vwuRam3PL1JjSZFxq6ABBVXat/Mshow-Fully-Balanced-Passive-Preamp-board-H...

Like this non encased rotary one 
https://goldpt.com/sa2x_in_600d.jpg

Cheers George

"A couple of extra criteria is the preamp needs to have remote and preferred balanced."

Try here, sure they’ll be what you need.
https://www.google.com/search?q=passive+preamp+with+remote&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU927AU927&sourc...



Here’s one balanced https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp/products/axiom-ii-passive-preamp-walke...

And one SE https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp/products/axiom-ii-passive-preamp-walke...

Cheers George

vette5451 OP
@georgehifi
Thanks for the links and suggestions for passive.

Yes, when you have 4v output from the phono stage, and your amp only needs 1v for full output, it's a no brainer.
Any active preamp with even more gain that goes between is a backwards step in sound quality, unless you "want" to hear more noise, distortion and coloration.

Nelson Pass,

“We’ve got lots of gain in our electronics. More gain than some of us need or want. At least 10 db more.

Think of it this way: If you are running your volume control down around 9 o’clock, you are actually throwing away signal level so that a subsequent gain stage can make it back up.

Routinely DIYers opt to make themselves a “passive preamp” - just an input selector and a volume control.

What could be better? Hardly any noise or distortion added by these simple passive parts. No feedback, no worrying about what type of capacitors – just musical perfection.

And yet there are guys out there who don’t care for the result. “It sucks the life out of the music”, is a commonly heard refrain (really - I’m being serious here!). Maybe they are reacting psychologically to the need to turn the volume control up compared to an active preamp.”

Cheers George

@vette5451 OP


This manufacturer does two passive preamps with a remote, an SE or an XLR one.
https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp

If you don't like that, dig through this lot, on the one you like the look of.
https://www.google.com/search?q=passive+preamp+with+remote&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU927AU927&sourc...

Cheers George

vette5451 OP
  Does the Goldpoint offer remote volume.? The website didn’t promote this option?

They are a Californian company give them a call, they may do an option for it or recommend one  (408) 721-7102  (Sunnyvale, California)
   
If not there are many manufacturers doing them just search "Passive Preamps remote" 
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU927AU927&ei=1XG8X8nGDc-E4-EP1vSsiAo&q=Passi...

Cheers George   

You really have no idea do you sunshine.
There is 6v from the phono stage at 50ohms output impedance. The power amp only needs 1v for full output, try to wrap you head around it if you can! 

I only recommend and link to other passives (not mine) when the impedance matches are fine, and there’s absolutely no extra gain needed from an expensive active preamp. Go learn some, and try to understand little more.

vette5451
In the market for a new pre-amp and looking for suggestions. I know this is very subjective to one’s tonal qualities so let’s consider all options in the $2k range.

You are using a Elac Alchemy PPA-2 phono stage with 66db of gain, over 6.0V output at 50ohms output impedance!! into an amp A21 that only needs 1v for full wattage output clipping.

YOU DON"T NEED AN ACTIVE PREAMP (with even more gain to waste money on.)

All you need a a passive preamp Balanced or SE, for even better sound, maybe with input selection if you have other sources.

SE
https://www.goldpt.com/sa1.html
https://www.goldpt.com/sa2.html

BAL
https://www.goldpt.com/sa1x.html
https://www.goldpt.com/sa2x.html

Cheers George