Tisbury Audio Mini Passive Pre-amp

Inclined to agree Marco. I am using a tvc passive and into my high gain valve power it is so much better than when using the active pre before.

Yup, for passives to work properly it's simply a matter of getting the system 'infrastructure' right. Thus done, the results can be (and in my system are, and no doubt yours, too) stunning! :)

Marco.

It would be interesting to compare the Tissie with one of these, which although significantly more expensive, I suspect will still offer exceptional SPPV: http://www.goldpt.com/sa1.html

I like the idea of having 47 steps, too.....

Marco.

This would likely do you nicely .. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Promitheus...item3aad294c91

Possibly, but I'm not sure that I need transformer impedance matching, as things are spot on now with the 'series' stepped attenuator of the Tissie. As such, the Goldpoint (above) interests me more, particularly the version with dual-mono volume controls:

http://www.goldpt.com/sa2x.html

Since things can be configured to your own spec, I'd go with non-balanced and RCAs, as that's what would be suitable for my system. I've always considered, however, that dual-mono volume controls offer greater accuracy and better channel separation, but when implemented with pots (a la Croft), are a pain in the arse to use.

With individual high-quality stepped attenuators, however, that wouldn't be an issue. Mmm... I can sense another project in the making! ;)

Marco.

Lol. Nowt like a project. My promitheus has dual mono vc'd. Its one of the older model s

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marco

Sure, as with anything else, it just depends on the circuit the DACT is used in. They are rather 'honest', however, and thus act (IME) simply as an open window, letting one hear exactly what the circuit they are connected to is doing. Therefore, if it sounds harsh, it's most likely a mismatch with the partnering circuit and/or other system components.

I seriously doubt anyone who's heard the Croft would say that it sounds harsh, as it's an extremely natural and musical sounding device. I'll bring it to the next NEBO and you can have a listen for yourself. It would be an interesting active preamplifier reference point to use against the assembled passives :cool:

Marco.

---

No, I just don't like the sound of metal films, preferring carbons in pots. Had the same thing when I mistakenly bought a stepper from Hi Fi Collective with metal films to fit into the WAD Pre 2 I had at the time. This was tried in several systems at a previous Owston, and there were several comments on the hard sound. Much better when swapped for a carbon resistor version.

Just personal preference at the end of the day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ali Tait

Just personal preference at the end of the day.

---

Sure, I agree, but what I wrote above also applies. We'll just have to agree to disagree on DACT steppers universally sounding 'harsh' because they use metal film resistors, as if they did that here, I wouldn't be using one, and neither would Anthony be fitting them to his preamps.

Like I said, I'll bring the Croft to the next NEBO and you can decide for yourself if you can detect the harshness you hear with metal films :)

Marco.

Interestingly, the Tisbury is stated as using a stepper with 'thin film SMD resistors', but it doesn't say whether they're carbon or metal.... It certainly doesn't sound harsh, though!

Marco.

SMD resistors are almost certainly a metal oxide for the resistive element.

Tantalum Nitride or Ruthenium Oxide are common substances.

:)