Hi Guys,
Although meant as a joke, there is one major factor that I think needs to be considered, but is never mentioned.
This factor is that the gain stage (that is not in the passive controller) is, in many cases, "installed" in the amplifier or source. Afterall, the gain has to come from somewhere. Let's look at the amp.
Many amp companies have an extra gain stage to get the sensitivity of the amp to the point where a direct connection can be made from the source (thru the passive of course). Some call themselves integrated.
My question is what is the quality of that first gain stage in the amp? This first gain stage could cause a great deal of sonic degradation itself, being worst than the preamp's stage of amplification. We really don't know.
From all the schematics I have seen, and testing I have done over the years, the amps 1st stage is rarely, if ever, designed as well as an excellent preamp's stage. It is a less expensive way to go for relatively good sound on a limited budget.
What if we exchanged the first stage of the amplifier (and passive controller) with the active preamp's gain stage (with it's own volume control)? The preamp's gain stage could make the amp/system to sound even better than when the amp's first gain stage is connected. Of course, the system might sound worse because it was better quality and Not Compensating as the "first stage" of the amp was designed to (for the rest of the amp). (Maybe a good case for matching preamps to amps from the same company.)
IC problems? Well, yes. Great care must be taken if this isn't to be an issue.
Of course, the preamplifier could sound worse, and many do when poorly designed and/or with low quality parts. But one cannot tell until one does some extensive testing.
There are other, more technical problems too.
Hope this doesn't sound teachy. Just thought it might be an opportune opening to help in understanding in an area where not much is mentioned, especially overseas at other chat sites.
