I was using a presence in a cd only system and tried the EVS passive attenuators $250.00 that mount on the back of the amplifier. After only a few moments of listening, I realized that the passive unit, while not possessing the tube sound, was more transparent, detailed, and extended as well as having more dynamics and "ease". The presence is an absolutely wonderful active linestage, but for cd only with 2v output, was no match for the passive. Simpler signal path is the way to go for cd-only
