Tisbury Audio Mini Passive Pre-amp

[Firebottle]

Martin your PM is full

[Macca]

Now sorted. Don't know how that happens nobody ever PMs me

[wee tee cee]

theres a good video on youtube explaining the difference between digital and analogue volume control........using your pc volume removes bits( not too good methinks) am a renowned daftee watch the video it explains it properly.......i did without a pre driving amps with the computer as the volume....inserting the pre improved the sound (dont ask me why)....

[realysm42]

I don't think it's as simple as that Tony.

This is how I understand it works (and I'm happy to be corrected by someone that knows more than me):

It depends on the bit rate of what you're listening to and what resolution the volume control is (read: how many bits).

I mainly listen to redbook cd ripped as APE files (so, lossless, 16bit files).

I also don't use my pcs volume control, I use Jrivers internal control.

Jriver has a 64 bit volume control (Which is actually very good). It's also fully dithered @24 bits (this is the limit of my knowledge, perhaps someone else can jump in here). I think dithering helps to improve the quality of the digital volume.

In theory, because 16 is 1/4 of 64, I can listen at 25% volume before I I start losing bits (and therefore sound quality).

Because my amp is such a beast (500 wpc), my speakers are pretty sensitive (90db) and I have no attenuation, this low level listening does occur, especially at night, so perhaps a preamp would help me.

I've also been told that a good preamp can help inject dynamics etc into the music. Maybe it will, but I can't be sure until I've had a go with one.

[Ali Tait]

An active pre may well give better drive, due to giving better impedance matching between your components, but YMMV depending on your kit. A passive will not provide better impedance matching, unless there are buffers either side.

[wee tee cee]

the wee Tisbury doesn't add or take anything away......to my ears either on speakers or headphones its invisible just lets me adjust the volume (the headphones are via a line out not a variable-cant hear any difference with the pre between head amp or connected straight to the dac)
Ali, has forgotten more about hi fi than I will ever know....maybe better listening to him.

[Ali Tait]

A passive can be the simplest and possibly best solution, if there are no impedance or gain issues I think. Tempted to give one of these a go, but just bought what I'm hoping will be a very nice active jobbie, with from what I've read has a very good phono stage. Might tempt me to get that 401 down from on top of the wardrobe!

Tony, dunno about your last statement there, it's more the blind leading the blind.

[wee tee cee]

Is there someone there.........who said that!!!!!!!!!

[Ali Tait]

Can you hear me motheeeer?

[Stratmangler]

the wee Tisbury doesn't add or take anything away......

I bought one and sent it back for a refund - it didn't work for me.
It seemed to be a nicely put together piece of kit too, but the passive thing didn't groove my truffles