Zd- I've never heard a Placette. It has some distinct features that would appeal to many (remote and/or input switching) but it's 2 - 2.5X the price of the LSA. Have you ever heard one? Regardless of George's proselytizing, it's a damn good product. The fact that he has made the circuit publicly available and provides support for DIY'ers makes me think he deserves some slack.
Is my preamp useless?
I enjoy my current system, which is built around a BAT VK-52SE preamp. I listen mostly to digital, via a Bryston BDP-2 player into a PS Audio DSD. I also enjoy vinyl on my VPI Classic/Dynavector/Sutherland 20-20 combo. Like most of us, I’m usually on the upgrade path. For me, the next component to upgrade would be the BAT preamp from a 52SE to a 53SE. But something occurred to me. I don’t listen loud. The gain on my PSA DSD is set to less than 100 and the BAT preamp is usually set between -20 and -10. So if my volume control is never set in the + range, is my preamp doing ANYTHING other than attenuating the volume and serving as a multi-input switch? Is all that Super Tube, single gain stage, zero feedback, high energy storage circuitry a waste of money?
Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
Don’t get me wrong. I am very pleased with the sounds I hear. But if my pre isn’t doing anything, then I’d be better off to sell it and get a very simple passive attenuator, wouldn’t I? If that’s the case, what brands and models should I listen to?
Thanks for any advice.
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- 128 posts total
03-23-15: Zd542 There was an A/B done here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1276356977&openflup&1421&4#1421 And before that, he had a TRL pre. Cheers George |
- 128 posts total