So I'm on a mission to discern, by listening this time, how the
individual elements in my chain of gear sound . To be scientific about
it I plan to have at least two of each of the following: mic, preamp,
soundcard, amp, monitor. Right now I monitor on a pair of Yamaha
NS-10Ms.

My question is this: what's the word on passive and active monitors.
Is one generally favorable to the other? Is it a matter of taste? Is
it not worth an amateur like me worrying about such stuff? If using
passive speakers like mine, what is the best approach to amping them?
(I'm not asking for a "best of " on this.)

Thanks guys,

gary