If you are only going to listen to one sound source, such as CD's, the Electronic Visionary Systems Ultimate Attenuators from tweakaudio.com attach right onto the input RCA jacks of your amplifier for $350, new. For this ridiculous low price you can have superb sound, as permitted by rest of your system. This eliminates need for IC between the eliminated pre-amp and your amp. This functions as a volume control and is recommended for single source listening. Will leave a lot of your money unspent, and yet your ears will be impressed.
Difference between active and passive preamps
I'm still using a Sony TA E86B SS preamp from about 20 years ago. It still sounds good and clean to me and has been absolutely troublefree.
In putting together a new system -- Green Mountain Europa's, Edge M8 amp, Discovery Essence IC's --
I want to consider how to further improve things.
What are the relative advantages/disadvantages of passive vs active preamps?
Is it a good idea to stay in same "family" as amp to replace preamp?
Best preamp under $2000 to reproduce jazz, symphonic, choral, acoustic, world music?
Thanks.
In putting together a new system -- Green Mountain Europa's, Edge M8 amp, Discovery Essence IC's --
I want to consider how to further improve things.
What are the relative advantages/disadvantages of passive vs active preamps?
Is it a good idea to stay in same "family" as amp to replace preamp?
Best preamp under $2000 to reproduce jazz, symphonic, choral, acoustic, world music?
Thanks.