The only problem with active pre-amps is that most of them are poor and the good ones cost a bomb even second-hand.

Tom: I've listened to many passive pre-amps of all types and one thing I have never heard is one sounding harsh so I'm interested in which one that was and in what set-up.


I'm inclined to agree with Alan that a passive does maybe sound slightly soft, loses a bit of the leading edge. With a good one it is fractional and you can compensate for that to an extent with the speakers. I think that softness also accounts for the 'lack of drive' some perceive. But that perception will vary from system to system because there are the source, power amp and speakers to consider which will all have their own balance vis a vis 'leading edges'. Speakers especially.