Quote Originally Posted by basite
a passive pre is actually an attenuator...

an active preamplifier, well 'preamplifies'. it gets the input signal from the source, amplifies it to a certain level so the amp can work with it. (basically).

but a passive pre gets the signal from the source, and it just gets attenuated, there is no extra power involved. The only power going though the pre is the one it gets from the source.

passives can be fun and good too (especially in the more simple setups, with not too much gear in the system...). It more keeps the acoustic signature from the source too ...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.
Sort of like connecting a CD player directly to a power amp? I was listening to some Dyn's with an Accuphase power amp connected directly to an Accuphase CD player via balanced connections at a dealer in Geneva. Volume control was done via the player.