This thread is perfect timing for me. I was having issues with my Esoteric X03 SE into my preamp on certain CD's - I had dismissed it as poor recordings until my $69 Esoteric SACD (disc) sounded BAD, so I investigated. I bypased my preamp and the sound was UNBELIEVABLE. I was listening for hours. Totally taken in by the musical experience - not the sound. I was playing entire CD's, which I hadn't done for years. I listened for 10 hours the first day. I did some research and found that there was a known, albeit infrequent issue, with my preamp. Decided to audition an ARC LS26 active preamp (hasn't come in yet) but could not believe adding something between the CD player and amp (actually active crossover w/volume control) would sound better. I researched passive preamps and was prepared to audition one (either Bent Audio or Music First--I do need balanced and SE inputs-a few of them). So, before going the passive route, I decided to bypass the preamp for my turntable/phonostage. Figuring if the preamp doesn't drive the crossover, a passive won't cut it. When I placed the needle in the groove, I heard some pretty good sounds (clean, black, detailed but not sure if better or worse than with the preamp). I just finished listening with the preamp back in the line. Just as quiet, detailed and black but with PRAT, and better soundstaging. The PRAT was missing without the preamp. Just a better presentation, slam, dynamics - sounded pretty darn good. So, I don't think I will be changing preamps either to an active, or passive. I will just switch cables when I want to go from the Esoteric to my preamp. So, I am sure system synergy is key but in my system, my preamp degrades the CD sound but does make the phonostage sound great. I also tried my Benchmark DAC direct bypasing the pre and wasn't happy with it. Much better with the preamp. Saves me $6,000 for a new preamp, and less convenient but I am very thrilled with the sound I am getting from all sources.
