Originally Posted by
Macca
You could have an active zero gain pre like the DCB1 built into the case - no lack of drive or softness with one of those. In any case those issues with passives are due to compatibility with the power amp, not the passive itself. Plenty of integrated amps use passive pre-amp stages but because they are properly matched to the power stage there's no issue.
Yes, I've experienced the sound lacking in substance when using a passive with some power amps, but not with the 306 or any of my other current amps. Even the cheapo Little Bear unit sounds just fine as does my home made ALPS item.
It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!