Active vs Passive Pre amps


I know this is'nt a new subject, but I would appreciate your views folks. At the moment I am using a Passive Pre, equivelant to the Music First Audio baby reference, but built by an independent engineer. I use it into my ARC Reference 75 power amp, into Daedalas DA-RMa speakers. To be frank, I am very happy with it. The only drawback is the dual volume pots only have about 18 stops available, so you tend to go from too soft to too loud. When the dealer delivered the ARC power amp, he used it briefly with an ARC Ref 3 Pre and I preferred the passive, but it was a limited listen with a new, non run in Power amp.

The passive seemed more neutral and detailed, the ARC a little rich and lush. I know you are supposed to lose dynamics with a passive pre. The question I suppose, is whether it is worth trying to get hold of an ARC Ref 3 or maybe an LS 26/27 and comparing again? Do you think ARC power amps should sound better with an active ARC Pre, which are'nt cheap, even second hand? If I am going to stick with a passive pre, are there better options than the MFA baby reference?

Thanks
david12

Showing 1 response by jwmazur

Check out Tortuga Audio and their passive line stage. It is built on the LDR attenuator and has been well engineered. Should have the balanced version out by now using XLR connectors.

I bought the DUI kit and am now having the board and encoder installed in my GAS Thoebe preamp. The preamp will have a bypass switch if I want to go direct through using only the passive or have the signature of the preamp using the Tortuga as the volume control.