Capitole owners- any benefits to external preamp??

even though the volume control in the Capitole Version 1 is not the last word in transparency and neutrality it does add to the "bloom" and "layering" that is part of the attraction of the Capitole. so i think the decision to use a passive pre such as the Placette is very system dependent.

it also is somewhat a matter of taste. i've heard the Capitole's sound described as somewhat like "analog", which the volume control contributes some to.

if your system is on the lean side of neutral or maybe solid state amplification the volume control in the Capitole may be perfect. in my system i did prefer using the Placette with the volume control in the Capitole turned up to "unity gain" which resulted in greater detail and timbral texture, and a more transparent soundstage....YMMV.

Not a Canuck, just a tragically hip leafs fan :-)

Mike- where is 'unity gain' on the Cap dial? I assumed that if adding external preamp, I would simply crank the Cap's volume control all the way, then attenuate with the Placette's volume- no??

Secondly, what interconnects did you use (since with the Placette, I guess you needed an addiitonal set?)

Sutts, i'm sorry if i was not very clear, i interpret "cranking it all the way up" as "unity gain" and i just cranked it all the way up.

i use Valhalla XLR interconnects before and after the Placette.

yikes- Valhalla's??!! What are the IC's worth (both pairs together)