Passive Preamps

I recently asked Placette audio about passive preamp comparisons and was told to my surprise that there are huge differences between passive designs. Apparently, my PS Audio running in passive mode is not very transparent compared to the Placette unit. I am going to try the Placette unit this summer when I can raise the cash. If you are interested in comparing, they have a trial period on their products which you could compare and get your money back if you don't hear any differences. Hope this helps.

The Adcom GFP-750 works extremely well as a passive.

I have owned EVS units in the past, so if your into passives his are the best. With only one Vishay resistor in the line you can't get more simple than that. That's why his cost are so low. I have stoped using them because after many years I had felt that the dynamics were lacking. I would be curious if some of these other units address this problem. Best and Good Luck.

I have a reference line preeminence 1 series 2 that I am extremly happy with. It's a $1500 preamp that I got for $425. I will never ever go back to a powered preamp again. And what is cool is I will never have to upgrade it. No powersupply or circuits that could be improved in a newer model because it doesn't have any. No power to be corrupted. And the dynamics are amazing with so much air around instruments and a very dark and quiet background. But don't ever put line conditioning on your amp for the best dynamics. I think sometimes people confuse the cleaner sound, quieter background, and a pushed back soundstage for a loss of dynamics. I don't know maybe they just got a week frontend or a bad combo or something. All I know is I got way better dynamics since the signal is kept very pure. Hope this helps.

I use a homemade passive built around Shallco "true ladder" attenuators from The Parts Connection, and use a Cinepro Line Balancer, and have plenty of dynamics from a Pass Aleph 3. A good digital output stage is doubtless part of the story of this success. My passive beats a CAT SL-1 III with factory-simplified signal path--much quieter.