Looking for recommendations - Passive and/or low gain preamps ...

joeinid

joeinid

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It does not take much to drive my Job 225. I was wondering what experiences/recommendations you had for passive or low output preamps. Even at my lowest setting on my preamps, I find the volume sometimes too much for late night or background listening. My main dacs have analog volume controls so I can turn them down but I wonder if I would not be better off with something passive. Thoughts?

Thanks!
 
Klipschfan said:
Luminous Audio Axiom II. Best bang for the buck and built for your system.
Luminous Audio Technology - Axiom II Passive Preamp
Mini Review: Luminous Audio Axiom II ?Walker Mod? | Confessions of a Part-Time Audiophile
Luminous Audio Axiom II Walker Mod - YouTube
Click to expand...

Brian,

I've missed you. Thank you. I'll check these out. Do you still have the MC1.2KW's? :)

Mike said:
I'll sell you my Classe CP-800. It works like a charm with the JOB225.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check it out Mike.
 
I listen at low volume too but I've had no luck with my experiment with a passive (Marchand PR41). It sucked all the life out of the sound. Now I'm considering a passive + buffer. Also, there some preamps with variable output level like the Decware CSP3.
 
I think it's tricky finding the right passive. Thanks for your input. I know Job is coming out with a preamp to match my amp. I'd like to check out the one that Brian recommended. Looks interesting.

Mortsnets said:
I listen at low volume too but I've had no luck with my experiment with a passive (Marchand PR41). It sucked all the life out of the sound. Now I'm considering a passive + buffer. Also, there some preamps with variable output level like the Decware CSP3.
Click to expand...
 
I can vouch for the decware, that variable output voltage is very handy. I also have a DIY pass B-1 which is an active buffer with no gain and that sounds good to my ears, and works well with the high-powered spectron amp I have. Good luck with your search!
 
The Decware looks great. I love those tubes. Hmmmm. That deserves more scrutiny.
csp3bb.jpg


I forgot about the First Watt offerings too. Oh boy, this will not be easy.
 
+1 for the Pass B1 I really like mine works great sounds good I had a Dodd Audio Tube pre before this and the l B1 kicks it's butt.
The Decware looks cool except for I am not a fan of the RCA jacks on the top of the chassis but you have to make that call for yourself.
 
Thanks Joe. This is actually the first preamp I have bought in almost ten years since I bought my Kora Eclipse. Since it sounded great with every amp I threw in front of it, I never had a reason to move on. With the JOB it's high output makes it borderline so I thought I would try something different. With what I paid I can easily move it on if it doesn't work for me. The JOB is actually the first "new" piece I have bought in almost 15 years. Always bought and sold used on A'Gon so as not to take the first owner depreciation hit.
 
Hi Jack,

You are welcome. Mike aka Face on the forum here has a W4S STP-SE preamp and loves it. He got me thinking about that preamp. We are looking forward to your experience with the combo. The Job has the highest gain of any amp that I've owned so hopefully the W4S or other high quality passives will be great!
 
You're right, it is at least double anything else that I use on a regular basis. The Odyssey Khartago SE, the Music Reference RM-10 or the Granite Audio 861's never had a problem with the Kora. From my experiments the JOB will be O.K. with any preamp if the speaker sensitivity is low, but with high efficiency speakers it can be a real problem. I think the cutoff for a fully active preamp may be with a speaker in the 86db range.
 
Got the Wyred4Sound STP-SE in this morning and it is hooked up and idling until later this evening when I will take it for a spin. No need for break-in, as the previous owner used it daily in his office system for almost a year. Just giving it a chance to get back to room temperature.
 
Can't wait for more updates Jack. For me, it's between Mike's CP-800 and the STP-SE, but the STP-SE is in the lead right now.
 
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