Placette pre amp

Yes, I have triode monoblocks, but didn't know the sensitivity etc, since everything is boxed up right now. Thanks for the input, though. I'm waiting for the new format to settle in somewhat before I buy a cd player, but am thinking of a ML or Audio Aero or something with a volume control. I want to get a turntable in the future, so eventually I will have to get a pre-amp but just wasn't sure which one to get. I don't want the sound from the Legends to change because of the pre-amp, so I thought I might get a passive, but I guess that won't work. What about a volume pot (EVS)? Or what pre-amp would you suggest if I don't go with the Legend (no remote volume)?

There are several options for you:
Pass Aleph P(hard to find though) that has switchable gain and can be used as an active and passive preamp as well in case if you will have high output source(can be a phono too).
BAT VK50 is one of the best preamps for the money spent. It's excellent performer with triode and SET amplifiers and has a remote.
EVS volume pot or even Creek OBH12 passive remote stage can also be coupled with existing non-remote preamp.

Get the Placette Line Stage, which is active but has no gain. It will give you everything you wanted from a passive without the downsides. If you need gain, he can build it in, but you probably won't need it. This is a tremendous product.

I believe you can try the Placette risk free for 30 days from the manufacturer. Sounds like that might be useful in your situation. Best of luck.

Tim

I have been an advocate of passive preamps for years. I have been using a Stan Warren buffered line stage for about 8 years. I recently upgraded my amp to a CJ MV-60 and was uncertain if I needed to upgrade my preamp. I only run a CD player, so I started to look at options, including a CD player with variable output. Budget is an issue, but not so much if I find a sound that is so wonderful that it sticks in my head and will not leave. I also spoke with Bill Conrad who said that the inteconnects will be an issue with a passive set up because they will act as filters. The CJ and buffered line stage are amazing, even with old Audioquest Ruby interconnects and some prototypes from another manufacturer. I have done ABs with Creek OBH 12 and OBH 14 and EVS Ultimate Attenuators. The issues are ease of use, access to controls and wires too heavy for device, more than sound. In all cases the sound does change, but ever so slightly. So, it becomes a mood thing more than the fact that I cannot live with the sound. The Creek does something to the sound that makes it nicer. I asked Stan Warren about this and he relayed a story of a recent A/B between the Creek OBH 12 and a BAT 20? or 30? at a recent Chicago Audio Society meeting. The outcome? Everyone liked the Creek better, even with a slightly narrower sound stage. I like the Creeks a lot because theys sound good and are more convenient than reaching around the back of a hot amp sitting under a rack. The EVS does nothing to the sound which I like. I A/Bed the EVS versus direct CD-amp. It is a tough call. My recommendation is try the Creek and, as Tim said, the Placette on a risk free basis. The cost of used Creek OBH 12 is risk-free. Besides it has growth potential and you can just put it away for a rainy day. If you are happy with your current CD player, then the better option may be to take the less expensive route until the industry decides what it wants to do with CDs and use the money somewhere else. If you want to go into this in more detail send me an e-mail. Cheers!