- No products in the cart.
Hear the light with optical volume control
LDR Passive Preamps
Better technology. Better audio.
Find Out More
Reviews and Customer Feedback
ParttimeAudiophile RMAF 2015 Room Review
"...capable of transporting the listener to a higher plane of sonic enlightenment, and that’s exactly what a soundsystem should do.."
Video review of the LDR3.V2 Passive Preamp
"...what you have to gain could be so much more… and it begins with Tortuga Audio."
“LDRx…hands down the best preamp I’ve used”
"Open, easy, organic, transparent etc., and - above all else - natural. It makes other preamps (esp. active ones) sound electronic and mechanical. "
“It is an audio tour-de-force.”
"I'm rediscovering my entire music collection, and have been reduced to tears by things I thought I knew."
“..reopens the passive vs. active debate”
"Music through the LDR6 is an ephemeral experience. It dances with fire for a brief shining moment and disappears, leaving you wanting more."
… my reference tool used to judge other preamps
The LDR is superior.... in rendering all those ranges in an even lower noise floor canvas, resulting in more organic sound overall, higher volume listening desire, and longer listening session...
LDRxB – “Yes, it’s that good…”
"... come to think of it, I'm not sure what else one could want no matter the cost unless you want fancy aluminum cases and bragging rights."
“..kudos for bringing such great performance..”
"...a clear and transparent presentation, wide stage, and big dynamic contrasts, kudos for bringing such great performance at a low cost."
“…I am floored by the sound quality.”
"I've been using a TVC [transformer volume control] for several years and was very happy, but the LDR simply blows it away. "
“My system has NEVER felt (and sounded) this good!”
"From tube to solid state, vintage Western Electric and Marantz to modern Cello and Krell, nothing comes close. "
LDR3 – “Best purchase ever made in audio”
"All curiosity of "should I upgrade this or that" has seemed to disappear and all I'm left with is enjoyment of music in it's truest form. "
“…least colored preamp I have ever heard”
"The LDR1 .... represents the least colored preamp I have ever heard in my system. It also provided greater resolution than any other preamp in my experience."
“Jaw droppingly transparent..”
"... the LDR6 produces a sound completely free of colouration, with a soundstage that was just consistently deeper and better resolved than with any other passive pre-amp I have ever used."
“I can’t think of higher praise.”
" I was given a renewed sense of excitement that I had been missing for a long time. I can't think of higher praise. "
“..highly recommended”
"...natural full bass... excellent midrange... good transparency... great sense of tonal color... highly listenable... a real sense of flow... highly recommended"
“…the most perfect preamp I could ever imagine.”
"...truthful to the recording. I doubt things could get more than 5% better at any price - even $100,000...the most perfect preamp I could ever imagine."
“..totally impressed..”
"I was having a hard time explaining in words what I was hearing, it just felt so clean, natural and timbres to die for."
“It is quite an achievement…”
"The music simply sounds fuller, warmer with more body and detail. Everything sounds more natural as if no electronic gear is being used."
“…most pure, neutral, transparent…”
"Let me state up front that the LDR1 is the most pure, neutral, transparent, noise-free and grain-free component I have ever heard."
A few notables
Light Dependent Resistors
99+% of all other preamps use conventional volume control technology. Not here. Tortuga Audio uses light dependent resistors. Not just different audio. Better audio.
A Better Passive Preamp
Many Tortuga Audio customers decided to sell their existing $10k+ world class high end tube preamps after auditioning our LDR passive preamps. Yes, they're that good.
Affordable High End Performance
For a little over $1k your system can achieve a level of performance that rivals high end systems that cost thousands of dollars more. One of the best values in audio today.
No Gain - No Pain
With rare exception you don't need gain (volume boost) in your preamp. Tortuga Audio's LDR preamps provide excellent attenuation without any harmful manipulation of the audio signal.
Full Range Dynamics
No shortage of dynamics and punch here! Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamps deliver truly impressive bass plus clear, clean & balanced mid/highs with no grain or harshness. Adjustable impedance renders matching a moot issue.
Please Remain Seated
Yes, Tortuga Audio preamps have a volume control knob. No, you don't need to get up and use it if you don't want to. All Tortuga Audio preamps are controlled via a nice simple remote. So sit back & enjoy!
Rather Do It Yourself?
Tortuga Audio also sell components and kits for those who enjoy the satisfaction of building their own gear while saving quite a lot of money in the process. We support the makers movement.Reviews Are In
Owners and independent reviewers agree that Tortuga Audio's passive preamps offer exceptional performance and value.Our Most Popular Model
LDR3.V2 Passive Preamp | $1195
- Superior audio quality | light dependent resistors
- Single ended stereo | unity gain passive preamp
- Cardas RCA jacks | 3 inputs | 2 output
- Dual channel display (blue)
- Fully IR remote controlled | Apple remote
- Firmware/feature updates via USB port
- 12 V trigger out
- Front panel
- Silver or black brushed anodized aluminum
- Lacquered carbonized bamboo
- Upgraded signal hookup wire (point to point)
- Neotech ultra-pure continuous caste 26 AWG solid copper
Have Questions?
We'd love to hear from you. We respond to every inquiry.
Info & Articles
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Be the first to get our ramblings about audio.
Find out what we're working on.
Receive special offers.
Opt out any time if we get annoying.
We'll try hard not to be.