Audio Ramblings - The Axiom Passive, Dragonfly DAC, and Quad Braid USB Cable
by Dave Clark
Axiom II Passive Preamp Fully balanced/XLR version from Luminous Audio ($349)
It is always such a joy to find items in the high-price world of audio that are not so high-priced and still get you so much of what one can expect when handing out serious coin. Case in point: the Axiom II Passive Preamp Fully balanced/XLR version from Luminous Audio ($349 as configured, one has many options of inputs - RCA - pots and wiring).
Now passives have a bad rap, and for many reasons, these justifiably so. Yeah, they do not ‘pre’ the signal in terms of amplifying, treating, coloring, or whatever; so pretty much what goes in is what comes out—there is not much inside to do much of anything to the signal, good or bad. Sure there are connections, wire, switches, and a volume pot—all of varying quality and worth—but the signal is passed through a passive device for minimal effect.
Read more...