Passive pre in my system

[Covenant]

At the beginning of the year I started a thread about hifi plans for 2014. I wanted to experiment with passive preamps as I could see the logic in their design. I was a bit dubious though, I had tried 3 without experiencing much benefit. I had emailed Tisbury to see if they offered their preamp in black finish but they didn't reply. Then I saw a thread in which Dave (Synsei) mentioned his BTE preamp. Six weeks later and I have a new little black box that has transformed my listening enjoyment.
I have a vivid, punchy presentation and a huge soundstage, exactly what I was after. I honestly think many people don't rate passives because they are not matched to their system. If they are designed properly and have quality components they can be the answer for not a lot of cash. The BTE uses a stepped attenuator and I ordered mine with silver wiring.
11590

[brian2957]

Did you order the standard one which they offer on Ebay with the silver wire option Jerry ?

[Covenant]

No, special order with a Dale type stepped attenuator, no pot. Cost £120.

[synsei]

No, special order with a Dale type stepped attenuator, no pot. Cost £120.

Nice one Jerry, glad to hear you are enjoying another of Anthony's marvelous creations. Incidentally dude I noticed your headphone amp, can you tell me a bit about it? ;)

[brian2957]

No, special order with a Dale type stepped attenuator, no pot. Cost £120.

Thanks Jerry .

[Covenant]

Nice one Jerry, glad to hear you are enjoying another of Anthony's marvelous creations. Incidentally dude I noticed your headphone amp, can you tell me a bit about it? ;)
Hi Dave,
Its this one:
http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/hifi-components/ha10-se-headphone-amplifier
With the DC1 power supply. Since I bought it I have added a NOS Mullard tube that has improved it further. Very pleased with it and its built like a tank.

[wiicrackpot]

At the beginning of the year I started a thread about hifi plans for 2014. I wanted to experiment with passive preamps as I could see the logic in their design. I was a bit dubious though, I had tried 3 without experiencing much benefit. I had emailed Tisbury to see if they offered their preamp in black finish but they didn't reply. Then I saw a thread in which Dave (Synsei) mentioned his BTE preamp. Six weeks later and I have a new little black box that has transformed my listening enjoyment.
I have a vivid, punchy presentation and a huge soundstage, exactly what I was after. I honestly think many people don't rate passives because they are not matched to their system. If they are designed properly and have quality components they can be the answer for not a lot of cash. The BTE uses a stepped attenuator and I ordered mine with silver wiring.
11590
That was me who initially posted about the Tisbury for a friend, then Dave pointed me to the BTE,
glad to hear your are enjoying yours Jerry, my friend ordered the same one (£120 also) and should be receiving it this week,
hope he likes it when get receives it. :)

[Covenant]

That was me who initially posted about the Tisbury for a friend, then Dave pointed me to the BTE,
glad to hear your are enjoying yours Jerry, my friend ordered the same one (£120 also) and should be receiving it this week,
hope he likes it when get receives it. :)
Look forward to the comments Andy-better still get him to join AOS and post a review!

[synsei]

Hi Dave,
Its this one:
http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/hifi-components/ha10-se-headphone-amplifier
With the DC1 power supply. Since I bought it I have added a NOS Mullard tube that has improved it further. Very pleased with it and its built like a tank.

Thanks for that Jerry.

According to Anthony the Dale stepper lifts the performance of his design significantly so for anyone who is considering ordering a BTE passive pre-amp I strongly advise speccing this option... ;)

[wiicrackpot]

Look forward to the comments Andy-better still get him to join AOS and post a review!
I'll ask him to join and see what happens, in the mean time a few words from you is reassuring though. :)


Thanks for that Jerry.

According to Anthony the Dale stepper lifts the performance of his design significantly so for anyone who is considering ordering a BTE passive pre-amp I strongly advise speccing this option... ;)
Yep, thats what Anthony advised when my friend asked for the best sounding option, so Dale stepper it is. :cool:

[john dolan]

When I experimented with different pots the Dale stepper is the one I was most disappointed with.

With a passive the quality of the volume switch and resistors is all and from the passives ive built for not to silly money id suggest a DACT or Khozmo or if you can spend more the Seiden 43 stepped attenuator is the best ive used but that cost a arm and a leg but worth it if you have high end system.

Heres is a pic of my Seiden

http://i57.tinypic.com/35bfn0l.jpg

[john dolan]

Pic of my DACT using Zfoils in shunt mod

http://i59.tinypic.com/111jh36.jpg

[john dolan]

Pic of the inside of my AS Passion passive

http://i59.tinypic.com/wb2yc3.png

[wiicrackpot]

Interesting John, am i right in thinking Passives only work well with a valve power amp?,
i've never heard a passive before and the reported lack of drive/dynamics worries me,
we'll see how my friends sounds if i want to invest in one.

[john dolan]

Im using my Passion right now with my Cyrus power amps which I much prefer over my Cyrus active VS2 preamp.

My passion was designed to work with the DESIRE DECADE solid state power amp and don't forget Moth and NVA all SS power amps made for passive preamps.

The main reason passive work so well with valves is they have higher than ss amps input impedance and tend to have more colour and texture and fuller sound than SS amps have and if passives have a weakness its they will lose some body and colour so having plenty to spare the loses aren't so obvious with valves.

Also valve amps tend to be used with high sensitivity speakers so silence from the preamp is welcome.

Just keep cables short and low capacitance and power amps 1v or lower for full power and min input impedance 20k ohms and your good to go with a passive with either valve or solid state.

If you find passives don't work well in your system try a TVC.

[Covenant]

Well, I think I have achieved the best performance/price ratio I could have. Perhaps if I upgrade my Croft to a 7R as some time in the future then I might go for a better quality passive. At the moment though I am happy.