Passive Preamps

[Mandryka]

Has anyone had any experience of these things? I'm thinking of buying one for an old Quad 303 since the Quad 33 has such a bad reputation.

http://www.tisburyaudio.co.uk/mini-passive-preamplifier

[The new erato]

No experience. You have sufficient gain in the power stage (since this thing can only dampen, not amplify, signals)?

[Mandryka]

No experience. You have sufficient gain in the power stage (since this thing can only dampen, not amplify, signals)?

On their website they say that there will be sufficient gain since the thing has 0 ohms resistance at full volume, and that the signal from modern equipment is sufficiently strong to drive a power amp. It all makes me wonder what preamps actually do for me, since I always neutralise any tone controls, and I have just one input source.

[The new erato]

It all makes me wonder what preamps actually do for me, since I always neutralise any tone controls, and I have just one input source.

They switch sources, handles impedance matching (which may be an issue), and amplifies low level signals from sources like turntables.

With only one input, and likely one with a volume control (many CD players and streaming devices have that), there is little need for a preamp.

I have 2 CD players (one CD, one CD/SACD) and radio/streaming on my main setup, so I need one. Even thinking about connecting my old turntable. One might also have TV/Blueray etc to connect to the main system.

[Mandryka]

I have it. It works. It sounds excellent, tight bass, open, air, natural, good sound stage, lively. Set up with Quad 303 and ESL 63, input from a rather good DAC whose name escapes me. No problem about gain.

[71 dB]

On their website they say that there will be sufficient gain since the thing has 0 ohms resistance at full volume,

"The Thing" hardly is superconductive. The resistance at full volume is more than 0 Ω.

Attached is a very simple homemade passive amp: