Passive pre recommendations & advice on pots, etc
So I've been running a Tisbury passive (mk2) for a few weeks now and I really like it. Straight away I heard no compromise in sound, dynamics still there and no roll-off or lack of bass I could hear. I swapped back in my Arcam C31 active the other day and to my surprise it held it's own really well. To be honest I don't think I could hear a clear difference between them. I did swap back and forth a few times and both gave what I heard to be identical sound quality (any differences I thought I could hear I think was just my mind trying to convince me of something not there possibly). Maybe my system isn't revealing enough, I don't know.
I'm thinking although after this I should probably stick to the active pre, I like the idea of using a passive (1 less plug, more direct path, can route the AV system through it without needing to power up another amp). Needs to have 2 sets of outputs (for power amps and headphone amp) and at least 3 inputs.
I've been doing a bit of research into passives and I'm not sure how to proceed if I want to upgrade. For example, I would ideally like a remote option (which I can power using my HDplex LPS) but I've read that it's better to go without that as the extra electronics can potentially compromise the sound. Same with what pot to use, some say stepped is best but then what type (shunt, ladder)? What about p2p wiring vs pcb?
What about pot impedance? The Tisbury is supposedly 10kohm which into my 22kohm amps seems to work a treat so ideally want something similar. Also, not sure it's a good idea to have a type of pot which varies resistance as the dial is turned. From what I've read something like a stepped ladder type keeps the resistance the same throughout.
Budget, probably around £500 but may be willing to go higher for something worth it
Some I've considered/looked at:
Schiit Saga - looks good, has remote, but don't like the idea that the tube buffer is always active/on, even when only in pure passive mode
Khozmo - looks good, has remote, don't like the look of the switch/pot knobs and apparently they're not well regarded (Lorlin?)
Hattor - same as above
NVA P50 - Not sure I like the acrylic look, no remote but apparently for SQ reasons
Rotel Michi (seen in classifieds from Josie) - Looks good but no remote and seems to be all pcb - not sure what pot it uses
Icon Audio - ticks many boxes but not sure what pot it uses.
Maybe I'm being too fussy haha. Absolute main priority is SQ but I would want a decent looking case and nice knobs, etc, even if it costs a little more for it.
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Originally Posted by farflungstar
