Won't preamps become obsolete?

More than 20 years ago I scapped the preamp in favor of an outboard phono section (PS Audio) fed into a Matrix multichannel decoder (Lafayette SQ W) which was probably the best matrix decoder ever. It provided source switching, gain, and volume control. Eventually I tried out a moving coil pickup, so I had to get a preamp for that.

Today I have a SS processor (Rotel 1066) and the old PS Audio phono section is back in action with a MM phono pickup, (rarely used).

So, in summary, I think that preamps are usually a bunch of unnecessary circuitry that the signal needs to go through. Less is more.

Blptwp...What is a TVC? I am guessing that it is a multitap audio transformer. I don't understand your comment about superiority vs a resistor divider. It was a great step forward when interstage transformers went away, and here you are puting a transformer back into the circuit! Transformers have limited frequency response, and if they include core material (like iron) they create distortion. Power amp output transformers have extra windings applied to grids of the output tubes as many dB feedback to correct these transformer deficiencies.

Bombaywalla...Thanks for the very interesting info. I can understand the advantage of a transformer for a passive preamp, where impedance matching can be a problem. Also, the ability to provide a little gain is nice.

Except for the impedance issue a resistor ladder "if done correctly" should be as good or better. The info shows good frequency response, but nothing about distortion. No idea of price either.