Originally Posted by
RothwellAudio
To put the cost into perspective you have to compare/contrast passive and active pre-amps. Both have to have a case, both have to have a front panel with lettering, both have to have in/out connectors, both have to have knobs... etc etc. In fact, there's essentially no difference in build costs between passive and active preamps except for the mains transformer (if there is one) and a collection of transistors/resistors/capacitors. True enough, a mains transformer can be quite expensive, but transistors and resistors and capacitors are (or can be) very cheap. So the idea that a passive pre-amp "has nothing inside" and therefore "should cost nothing" is a false one which doesn't stand scrutiny.
What about performance? It's another marmite thing. Some people love passives, some people hate them.
Spot on yes. £60 for the case and lettering and £10 for the electronics (cost price) for a basic SS active pre would be in the right ballpark.
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