2. amps-preamps
  3. 1079587334

Turntable and a Passive pre?

I've been looking to upgrade my preamp, so my latest bit o' kit to audition is a borrowed (custom) Passive 'preamp' - my first experience with a Passive - and I'm really digging the result!

...thing Is I'm a also a vinyl guy,so this only helps with the little Silver discs...

the question then is: is it possible (or practical) to drive a passive Pre with something like an Ear Phono pre? (the Phono Pre I've been eyeing - pardon the pun)
or is a Passive a no-go with a phono pre? or is this simply an issue of matching the phono pre and amp Impedences?

thanks!
breeno

Showing 1 response by ozzy62

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,292 posts
 
I am using a custom preamp designed and built by Kevin Carter @ K&K Audio. It is a two chasis design with an outboard PS for Kevin's excellent MC phono stage. For attenuation I am using a pair of the Mark I version TX-102 transformers. I have two other inputs which I use for my tuner and my digital front end. This is the best preamp I have ever had in my system, bar none. But my point is that a well designed tube phono stage with enough gain(I have about 72db for my 0.3mV cart.) can work exceedingly well with a passive device. I have all the volume and dynamics I could ever ask for, and the phono stage is as quiet as most SS devices, minimal tube rush even at very high settings.

Oz
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