Thoughts on Placette Preamps?

I am using a Placette balanced volume control between my Theta Gen Va and my Music Reference RM-200. It blew away my CJ Premier 14 and a Audio Researce LS-15.

I realy forgot about BAT -- they have either balanced or SE outputs in their regular configuration. Placette has also balanced out versions and I would recommend to stay with one output device either balanced or SE.

In order to take the most advantage of having passive preamp please MEASURE before you build!

Find out an output level of your CD-player with manufacturer or user manuals and sencitivity, input impedance of your amplifier. You have to have +-1V above the input sencitivity of your amplifier for uncompromised dynamics.

For example if your input sencitivity is 1V and the output of your CD-player is 1.5V then you'll most-lilely need extra 7dB of voltage gain and have to avoid using passive preamp.

There is a decibel conversion table you can check at http://www.testeq.com/charts/decibels.lasso

I own the passive line stage ($1400) and it is the best "preamp" I have heard under $4k. I have tried many (Krell KRC-3, Mark Levinson 380, Conrad Johnson PV14, etc.) and this was the only one that didn't muck up the sound in some way. On my 200wpc solid state amp it sounds great but I tried it on my friend's 10wpc tube monoblock based system and it was a little *too* transparent, his CJ tube pre was a much better match. With the 30 day in home trial, why not try it out?

Considering the high quality level of your system, the Placette Passive will absolutely stun you. If you really want to hear what your system sounds like, you must give it a try. Since I put the Placette into my system (heavily modified Dan Wright 9000ES, Classe CA-300, Harmonic Tech, Spendor SP1/2s, Velodyne ULD-15 IIs), I find myself unable to sample various tracks on multiple CDs. Once I put on a disc, I'm so amazed at the sound of each cut, I end up listening to the entire CD. I attribute much of this to the fact that the Placette actually lets me hear the 9000ES, which, after Dan's work, is a super source for both redbook and SACDs. The Placette is highly recommended, as are the mods performed by Dan Wright. Give yourself some very happy holidays ;-).

thanks for all the replies. i am still debating between trying the placette and just getting a used BAT tube preamp (5i, 30, or 50). i just like the functionality and appearance of the BAT preamps and it would probably sound great running fully balanced with the vk-75. also, i read that the higher end BAT's use vishay resistors, which is placette's claim-to-fame. decisions, decisions...

blackie: you mentioned that the placette sounded a little "too transparent" with a tube amp...what did you mean? was it harsh on bad recordings or something?