konut
I had for a few years been very satisfied with the Wyred4Sound STPse which as a passive, below unity, places just one high quality resistor in the attenuation. It's very good, but the buffer stages could be responsible for softening the signal somewhat. I as well had the pleasure of test driving the TEO Liquid Audio preamp, although it's only a single ended device, but wired with the TEO special formula cabling. Also, there were a few pro audio devices, that again placed just one resistor in signal path, but use different schemes of shunt or series resistance to attenuate.
I think rather than comparing different passives, and arguing those merits, the point I wanted to make, and perhaps I missed it, is that the PreT2 is indistinguishable in my system from DAC direct, other than it lowers the volume when required. I'm happy with it. And guys, that's really the only point in listening. To be happy, and hopefully at an affordable level of investment.
Tommy's DAC DAC and Maraschino's deserve very high quality playmates! We are all interested to hear each other's success stories!