Are passive preamps better?

It didn't work. Back to preamp.

Arnettpartners...Just curious...in what way did it "not work"?

Eldartford, I later got distortion components. I only played two cd's that night after setting it up, and I thought that it was an improvement over using the preamp. But the following day when I tried other cd's I got a harshness that had not been present. The system had been powered off for a few hours before set=up while I was setting up a new cabinet. So if it was because it was relatively cold at first audition or the cd's I used or my own focus on the improved silent background and clarity I don't know. I guess I should try it again. I wondered if the inferrior output control makes it a poor reference. I'm a little frustrated right now because I think I'm zeroing in on a really good system. But I don't have anywhere near 7k for experiementing. I read partially the review in Stereophile on the active Placette. The reviewer is bananas over it. I guess the Placette is on sale right now for 4k. I just discovered here that your email address is available. Lynne

I see there is one on sale for $2995, which is not a bad price. The price jump to $7000 was very recent and a very large ump from the previous $4995 price. So most used units were probably bought for much less than the current list -- that 2995 does not look to bad if the unit is in a good shape - they come with a 20 year warranty, so it is not like it is worn out, or wearing out.

Pubul57, Thanks. I'll check it out. If I spent that much I would have to never tell anyone. Lynne