Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Passive preamps / volume controls
Passive preamps / volume controls
Passive preamps are not a universal system solution. Before going this route, you must be sure that the input impedance of your amplifier is high, the output impedance of your source is low, and the capacitance in your interconnects is low. Passive preamps invariably lower the input impedance that is seen by a source. If your source doesn't have the stones to drive a low input impedance, the subjective result will often be a lack of dynamics. Interconnects with high capacitance will create a low pass filter in conjunction with the output impedance of a passive preamp (decreasing high frequency response).
If you have enough voltage gain from your source to drive your amplifier to full output, but borderline i/o impedances, you should look into a buffered preamp instead of a passive preamp. A buffered pre will not add gain (like a passive), but it will present a high input impedance to the source and a low output impedance, effectively eliminating most of the problems mentioned above. Discrete buffer pres are often source/cathode followers and so inherently employ a 100% feedback scheme (making them very linear and uncolored). Opamp buffers are also common.
If you have enough voltage gain from your source to drive your amplifier to full output, but borderline i/o impedances, you should look into a buffered preamp instead of a passive preamp. A buffered pre will not add gain (like a passive), but it will present a high input impedance to the source and a low output impedance, effectively eliminating most of the problems mentioned above. Discrete buffer pres are often source/cathode followers and so inherently employ a 100% feedback scheme (making them very linear and uncolored). Opamp buffers are also common.
34
I'm gonna need a volume control or passive preamp to go between my soon to come SMSL M8 DAC (courtesy of Massdrop) and my power amp. Recommendations are appreciated.
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop