Your thoughts on a Django Passive Preamp.

Hello Alan

I just posted a similar question in the forum. Haven't received any feedback yet.

But I can tell you this. I am running my VPI Classic and Fosgate Phono straight to my Audio Mirror 20 watt Monoblocks, and I believe I hear more detail and definition from my records. So much so, I am thinking of running my second TT to it also (it is a Nottingham Space Deck with a 12' Space Ace tonearm and Miyajima mono cartridge). My phono amp for this setup is a Pathos Inthegroove.

I am running everything thru a 5.5 VTL preamp, which I love, but find it may actually be getting in the way of good quality sound reproduction.

One of my questions to the group is similar to your. . . i.e., thoughts on the use of a passive preamp. I think I will hold on to my VTL however.

Best regards

Herb

I had been ru

Hello Herb,

It seems to make sense to remove the preamp and just have a volume control and a selector switch between your source and your amp. Then I read other peoples post saying they don't like the sound without their pre, so I,m conflicted.

I don't want to pay an arm and a leg and find out I don't like it. Then again I could get one of the less expensive ones.

I want 3 xlr inputs even if they are not truly balanced. I want to use the interconnects I'm using now.

If these are my only problems then life is good.

Cheers,
Alan.

Hi Alan, it a hell of a lot cheaper to try a passive pre (quality 10kohm log pot) than an active preamp, and to keep trying different active preamps till your happy, as they all sound different. None have famous preamp saying, the sound of a "straight wire with gain". Saying that I'm not a believer of transformer (TVC) based passive preamps as you mentioned, as they have their own sound/s too.

Nelson Pass (Threshold, Pass Labs) is regarded by many as the most knowledgeable designer in Audio. Here's what he has to say about passive preamps.

"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

Hi George

I am late on this, but you are right-on with your response.