As I've posted elsewhere on Audiogon, I compared both the Creek OBH 22 SS Passive Preamp, and the ARC Ref 3 Tube Preamp. I got the Passive Pre, initially, because I wanted to eliminate the preamp, but retain a remote volume control.
The Passive Preamp did seem to offer a bit greater clarity... but... the Ref 3 Preamp seemed to have almost as much clarity, with a slight bit more richness, warmth, and liquid body... and... perhaps a bit larger soundstage and air. These differences were pretty small, but enough for my wife to quickly decide she preferred the sound with the Ref 3 Preamp - called it more real, and life-like.
However, many would be very happy with the Passive Preamp, especially considering the premium price of the Ref 3 Preamp (10-15 times the Passive Preamp) to produce a very slight improvement in sound.
The Passive Preamp did seem to offer a bit greater clarity... but... the Ref 3 Preamp seemed to have almost as much clarity, with a slight bit more richness, warmth, and liquid body... and... perhaps a bit larger soundstage and air. These differences were pretty small, but enough for my wife to quickly decide she preferred the sound with the Ref 3 Preamp - called it more real, and life-like.
However, many would be very happy with the Passive Preamp, especially considering the premium price of the Ref 3 Preamp (10-15 times the Passive Preamp) to produce a very slight improvement in sound.