The $4000 Placette is active. The $4000 First Sound referred to above is active. Once upon a time, First Sound made passive preamps, but no more.
The cost of the Placette units is directly related to the cost of the many Vishay S-102 resistors in them.
The cost of the Placette units is directly related to the cost of the many Vishay S-102 resistors in them.