I've got an Adcom GFP-750 so it's easy to compare passive vs. active. With a good CDP with output buffer, I don't see much difference in dynamics. I think the CDP output power supplies may also affect dynamics but maybe someone with more experience would know better?
With a cheaper CDP which did not have the output buffer, there was a fairly noticeable loss in life to the music. Even though it has 2 volt output.
But I think a goldpt or DACT passive attenuator may give better transparency than the Adcom. The Adcom seems to lack ultimate transparency. At least that's what people here have said going from Adcom GFP-750 to a Pass Aleph preamp. The other option I have is to upgrade the volume or capacitors on the Adcom.
I don't see how anything could be more transparent than a DACT attenuator. But if there is an impedance problem, maybe an active pre is necessary. I've read some passive pre's have a resistor network to correct for these potential problems.
Some passive pre's are very expensive. Look at Placette ($1,500) or FT Audio's Little Wonder ($600). That sounds like a lot of money for a volume knob in a box. Does anyone have experience with either of these?
So the main question I have is: other than dynamics, is the purpose of an active preamp to be a tone control to further tweak the sound of the system?
With a cheaper CDP which did not have the output buffer, there was a fairly noticeable loss in life to the music. Even though it has 2 volt output.
But I think a goldpt or DACT passive attenuator may give better transparency than the Adcom. The Adcom seems to lack ultimate transparency. At least that's what people here have said going from Adcom GFP-750 to a Pass Aleph preamp. The other option I have is to upgrade the volume or capacitors on the Adcom.
I don't see how anything could be more transparent than a DACT attenuator. But if there is an impedance problem, maybe an active pre is necessary. I've read some passive pre's have a resistor network to correct for these potential problems.
Some passive pre's are very expensive. Look at Placette ($1,500) or FT Audio's Little Wonder ($600). That sounds like a lot of money for a volume knob in a box. Does anyone have experience with either of these?
So the main question I have is: other than dynamics, is the purpose of an active preamp to be a tone control to further tweak the sound of the system?