WTD: cheap passive preamp

[MarginWalker]

Hi all, I have been looking for a quad 306 for a while and have somehow managed to buy two of them, one which looks to be in mint condition, has apparently been barely used from new and not messed with in any way. The other is a bit less tidy cosmetically but has repalcement binding posts. The seller thinks it had the caps repalced by the previous owner but can't be sure. I would like to get hold of a cheap passive pre to see how they both sound before deciding which to keep and whether to stay with passive or look for an active pre. If anyone has anything suitable for this please let me know.

Phil

[ReggieB]

I have a Schiit Saga working nicely with a Quad 303. So it depends how much you want to spend. The S version is £300. They also do a very basic passive for £60 which might be what you want if this is just an experiment. See this for links to both: https://www.schiit.co.uk/preamps/Saga_S

[Light Dependant Resistor]

I also have 2x Quad 306 using one channel of each per speaker. They are a perfect match with passives, including LDR types.

[Caber10]

As you have 2 why don’t you try proper bi-amp set up? For not too much money you can get an active crossover, assuming you have bi post speakers this is a good thing to try. You could swap the two amps between highs and lows to see if there is any difference between them.


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[MarginWalker]

Sadly the speakers I'm using only have one set of inputs so I'm assuming bi amping isn't an option using these? I would consider trying some other speakers, but as these are going to be living on a shelf I need something that will fit/work there.

EDIT: current speakers are Rega RS1

[MarginWalker]

I also have 2x Quad 306 using one channel of each per speaker. They are a perfect match with passives, including LDR types.



Does this require a passive pre with two outputs?

[hifinutt]

I have a Schiit Saga working nicely with a Quad 303. So it depends how much you want to spend. The S version is £300. They also do a very basic passive for £60 which might be what you want if this is just an experiment. See this for links to both: https://www.schiit.co.uk/preamps/Saga_S

highly recommended

[lilolee]

Can't get cheaper that this £5 on ebay. Using at the moment with my 306. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303198501163
https://i.imgur.com/ueOQNbA.jpg

[Infinitely Baffled]

Does this require a passive pre with two outputs?

You would just need to use two of these if your pre has only one pair of outputs :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phono-female-Audio-Splitter-Adaptor-Black/dp/B000Q8FEFW
IB

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Does this require a passive pre with two outputs?

Yes you can do it that way, just run a second pair of linked RCA outputs. with my set up I run a 4 wire cable
to the power amps and use presently 1 channel of each amp for each speaker.

and Yes can be bi wired with LDR attenuator with active crossover boards as seen here
https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/305571-towards-a-better-sounding-discrete-preamp-buffer-for-hypex-nc1200-500-modules/?tab=comments#comment-4493845
27586

[TonyRoma]

Hi, i have one of these, 3 weeks old and used once, yours for £30 inc. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Stereo-Passive-Preamp-for-Amplifier-Active-Speaker-Lossless-Volume-Control/273808836595?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[MarginWalker]

I have managed to source a little bear for testing. I'll be in the market for a Schiit Saga soon assuming I like the sound of the passive/power combo

[walpurgis]

I have managed to source a little bear for testing. I'll be in the market for a Schiit Saga soon assuming I like the sound of the passive/power combo

The Little Bear sounds very good, I have one in my collection. Don't assume that anything more expensive will necessarily sound better. :)

[MarginWalker]

The Little Bear sounds very good, I have one in my collection. Don't assume that anything more expensive will necessarily sound better. :)

I'm under no illusions. I'm just lazy and want a remote.