2. amps-preamps
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Passive Preamp for Atmaspheres?

Is anyone running a passive preamp with atmaspheres? I'm about to purchase an Atma s-30 and am trying to decide what preamp to purchase. My original plan was a good affordable preamp such as the Eastern Electric minimax or Juicymusic Merlin.

The rest of my system consists of an Arcam DV88p which I use for redbook cd playback, and Soliloquy 8.2s speakers, which are about 91db with 7.2 ohms minimum impedance. My listening room is relatively small at around 11 by 13 although it opens into a small dining area and kitchen which is separated by a 4 ft. high wall. I am currently using 18w/ch integrated monoblocks and generally play them at about 1 o'clock on the volume dial, so I don't think I need much power at all.

Any recommendations for passive preamps or am I still better off with an active pre?
mpignone
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
maybe buy a Quad or similar CD player with volume control and save on cables and pre amp etc...
mpignone OP
16 posts
 
I hadn't heard about those Scott Endler attenuators. I was considering the more expensive, nude ultimate attenuators, but The Endler's seem to get great reviews and at $160/pr. I just about have to try them out.

All responses greatly appreciated. After I receive the new gear, I'll report back with some results.
brooks
55 posts
 
I don't think you will find an active preamp in your price range that will come close to the nuetrality of a passive. You should check out transformer attenuators (autoformers). In my experience they are more natural than resistor attenuators. See intact audio (http://www.intactaudio.com/)for some very good sounding uniys at reasonable prices.

Steve
mpignone OP
16 posts
 
I received my Endler Attenuators in the mail yesterday, and am awaiting the arrival of my Atma S-30 next week (the wait is killing me!). My question is, do I need anything other than my standard RCA interconnects? It appears that the attenuators mates directly to the amp, and the RCA plugs into the attenuators, is that correct?

Marco
jimangie1973
6 posts
 
http://www.goldpt.com/sas.html

These are very nice units. If single ended, choose the 10K ladder or series. For balanced, choose 10K series.

Anything higher than 10K creates an output impedance too high. A high output impedance combines with the capacitance of the interconnect (to amp) and amplifier input. This creates an RC lowpass filter which will attenuate the top end if the capacitance and the output impedance are high.
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