Best Line Stage Preamp?

The Placette active line stage would be nice. But along those same lines, I would not discount the Pass Labs X-1 nor the Chapter Audio Preface preamps.

I've owned all of these and are all top runners in their solid state price categories.

I've demo'ed the Ayre K3-x in my home a few years ago and was not very impressed. It could have had to do with it's built-in 'Ayre conditioners' that may have affected the colorations and resolution.

-IMO

Hi Stehno: Interesting about the Ayre (I guess it's the same model I listened to).
I found it very "neutral" sounding. I can't remember any gross negatives. Coming to think of it, I can't remember major positives either -- other than it was in the "enjoyable" list!
Cheers

I have found the Hovland just produces music in the most compelling way. After owning tons of passive and active designs over the last 20+ years I can confidently tell you that transparency is not the only issue and can in fact keep you from exploring what makes music seems the most real. The Hovland makes virtually every source enjoyable from Tuners, SACD, CD etc. The latest configuration of the HP-100 clears up any concerns over the very earliest versions.

Gregm, to better qualify my statements about the Ayre k3-x.

I should note that I was unaware at the time that Ayre puts multiple 'Ayre Conditioners' strategically throughout the frequency spectrum.

Since I was unaware of this, I was using my Foundation Research LC-1 passive in-line power conditioner attached to the Ayre.

It's usually a big no-no to double up on line conditioners of different manufacturers anyway.

That could explain some of the coloration and suck out in the midrange. But I'm not certain why it was not that resolving unless it is the same reason.

-IMO

Naderson makes a very good point about transparency. I got hooked on passives when someone loaned me a Creek OBH12 and it made music more real than my current pre-amp at that time, a $2,000.00 tube type. That was at least 6 years ago and I have tried a number of pre-amps since and am more than satisfied with the Placette and it's ability to just let the music happen. However, Nanderson states that music making is the most important thing and hopefully all of us would agree. Try everything at least once and stick with what plants you in the music chair most solidly night after night.