I have been dablling with passive devices for years, but only until a few years ago, with the encouragement of georgehifi, above, I have taken it seriously, and purchased a nice passive device, which has, extraordinarily, convinced me, that active preamps, take " somethings " away from my recordings. Some people feel that going passive, robs the music of dynamics, punch, color, or makes the music lifeless. I have found, exactly the opposite. I can say, that details and information, on every recording I play, excels, in all of these sq parameters, and every parameter. The noise background is extremely quiet...... actually, non existent. With my dac, connected, on ( always on ), and no signal, my volume can be at max, and not a sound through the speakers, which are very efficient ( yes, power amplifiers are on ). Never had this with an active preamp, tube, or solid state. System matching becomes a major factor, in appreciating one less gain stage. Most sources today, should have a proper amount of voltage, impedance, and drive ( a robust power supply ), to pass the signal to the power amplifier.......In my system, for my ears and listening, I prefer passive. No right or wrong, imo......and the debates, as to which is better, are ridiculous, just like, analog vs digital, tubes vs ss, etc. Whatever " your " ears like, this is what matters........Enjoy ! MrD.
