passive preamp recommendations?

truant · « **on:** 10 Feb 2005, 06:33 pm »

I am currently looking at 3 passives for use in my system: the CI VPC-1,
SonoCable's SONOSILENCE ONE and Luminous Audio's AXIOM. I've read the specs and researched reviews on all three but would like to hear from anyone who has had experience with any of these or who has another passive recommendation. Thanks-

Eric · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 07:12 pm »

MGD of Bound for Sound really likes the Sonic Euphoria

John B · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 07:15 pm »

I'm rather impressed with the Placette passive that I was loaned. It seems to get everything right, good top end extension, and solid mid and lower bass.

mattybumpkin · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 07:27 pm »

LW1 "Little Wonder" is a great passive pre. Inexpensive too.

Regards,

"M"

nhtran · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 08:10 pm »

Build your own using this....
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15697

Best/cheapest way to go.

konut · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Feb 2005, 08:23 pm »

Except for the remote not having great longevity, I have been pleased with the operation of my Creek OBH12.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 12:16 am »

I cannot speak to the Sonosilence product, but I have had the pleasure of listening to some of the cables produced by Sonocable in my system this past week.

Good stuff, likely to end up fleshing out my HT setup, once I receive my 2 channel preamp, and make certain that I am right about the expected lengths.

I have purchased items from Nelson before, and can recommend him as a good guy, and someone who takes pride in his work.

I have some experience with a passive pre, but it is not on your list - I had a PS Audio IV for a while, and it did well with my stock Teac tripath amp, back when I had that combo going for a time.

Good luck,

corwin99 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 01:18 am »

Thanks, Mark... I appreciate the kind words.

Truant, I might be able to send you a SonoSilence One to demo if you are interested. Please PM if you are.

KT · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 03:15 am »

A lot of people seem to be loving the passive transformer-based preamps built around S&B TX-102 mk3 transformers. I got a set, myself, through a group buy at diyAudio though I haven't had a chance to build it, yet.

John Chapman at Bent Audio sells fully assembled preamps based on the TXs, as well as kits, transformers, and parts.

Brian Cherry at DIY HiFi Supply also sells the TX-102s and a preamp kit based on it.

If you're looking for a passive solution, these are worth researching. This is, arguably, the best sounding preamp, passive or otherwise, currently available.

Best,
KT

truant · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 07:21 am »

thanks for all of the suggestions and to Nelson for offering a demo. I'm definitely going to take him up on the offer. I forgot about the Bent-that is out of my price range at the moment but maybe when John gets back into production of the NOH that will have changed. I didn't mention price in my opening query but I'm especially curious about those under $400.

averell · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Feb 2005, 08:35 am »

Adcom is designing a passive preamp. It looks horrible but it has a processor input and can be switched to be an active preamp too.

http://www.adcom.com/preamplifiers/gfp750.htm

Lak · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Feb 2005, 03:48 pm »

The Channel Island Audio VPC•1 Passive Preamplifier also sounds very good. You might want to look at it, new $249 I think.

mgalusha · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Feb 2005, 04:26 pm »

You might check into the ElectraPrint PVA (passive voltage amplifier). Jack Elliano is one of the transformer guru's and this is a passive using his custom designed transformers. He published an article on these a couple months back in AudioXpress and I found it quite interesting. The price is certainly right, a three input model is $280 or if you're into DIY a pair of transformers can be had for only $115.

There are no photos of this on his website but it's a fair bet that is will be a pretty plain jane chassis for that price.

ElectraPrint Audio

Mike

dado5 · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 02:59 pm »

Quote

ou might check into the ElectraPrint PVA (passive voltage amplifier). Jack Elliano is one of the transformer guru's and this is a passive using his custom designed transformers.

WOW! You gotta love Jack. He has always made great transformers at very reasonable prices. Now he is offering a low priced tranny pre amp module. Dude this is a TVC for less than the cost a (over rated IMO) DACT stepped attenuator. Way to go.

Rob

KT · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 03:38 pm »

Yeah, I'm really interested in Jack's transformer solution, too. As far as I understand, it's not a TVC (what does TVC stand for?) like the S&B TX-102, but a step-up transformer that uses a log pot in front of it.

It probably sounds great, but apparantly there are some issues with high output impedance. So system matching is important.

BTW, I ordered transformers from Jack before, and he's a great guy. Very helpful and very much like an uncle who wants to make sure your projects works OK. What a good guy.

Best,
KT

avahifi · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 02:19 pm »

You guys might really get off on a complete passive system invented long ago. It was called the Edison Horn system. Thorn stylus needle and little dog listening and all.

Frank Van Alstine

avahifi · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 02:24 pm »

One other really worrisome thought: How do you "burn in" interconnect cables with a passive system? Oh dear!

Frank Van Alstine

mgalusha · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 05:00 pm »

Quote from: avahifi

One other really worrisome thought: How do you "burn in" interconnect cables with a passive system? Oh dear!

Dammit Frank, I have a bad cold and this made me laugh until it hurt!

jackman · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 05:21 pm »

I'm dying! One of Frank's funniest posts, short and to the point. That was one of those "I wish I had said that!" comments.

truant · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Feb 2005, 03:22 am »

I've been listening to SonoCables' SonoSilence One for a few days now. Nelson responded to my inquiry in this forum offering to send a demo my way. What a guy! Check out the site...very cool looking stuff at great prices. From a design standpoint alone one of the best sites I've come across.
A few days after emailing him the demo arrived. This is a cool looking little piece of gear. It is quite light but my VH Pulsars are not stiff ICs so no problem setting it atop or alongside my cdp. With stiff cables this might be tricky.
This things sounds great. I've read that passive preamps tend to be laid back sounding and the SonoSilence One is that but not at the expense of dynamics. The sound is very articulate and focused. Dead quiet background. Very resolving of details at all volumes. I love being able to turn the volume down and still feel that I can hear everything.
I plan to order one this weekend. Thanks Nelson!