Pass Labs X2.5 - vs. - Placette Active Preamps

I had a placette volume control...no gain...and loved it. Wish I had it back. I have no experience wth the active placette.

An Active Placette unit can be purchased with a complementary design to support XLR/Balanced connection from input to output.

Dre

I would love to hear comparisons between a balanced active and a single ended active Placette. I am convinced that balanced would be better, but man, a balanced active Placette is mega bucks!

Guy of Placette is against balanced esp in the active version. From what I understand in normal applications he is right. There are benefits to both.

I think my less than wonderful experience with the Placette active had to do with the fact that this preamp has no gain.

As a result, the dynamics and bass were squashed and I believe that is what led to the overall unbalanced and rather lifeless and lean presentation.

But the highs were to die for and if there were a way for Placette to maintain the overall balance (to match the highs), it truly could be the best preamp going.

-IMO