the tough question: Which preamplifier? and why

Lightspeed Attenuator.

Incredible dynamics, explosive bass, articulate, transparent, meat-on-the-bones passive!

Everything I have experienced from active preamps (both tube and ss) with no grain, grit, glare, etc. and with typical passive transparency. So far, I have detected no discernible weaknesses, but evaluation continues. The only caveat is that the output and input impedances need to be compatible.

Here is a thread that may be helpful. Although it is a DIY forum, the author of the thread manufactures the Lightspeed for $500 US. In other words, if you aren't a diy person, it is available commercially.

I believe this thread is approaching 250,000 hits.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80194&highlight=

Yes the Lightspeed is quite good if a passive will work in his system. I own one and have to agree that it is transparent without sacrificing anything in the mix. I was also under the impression that the Lightspeed was pretty much immune to impedance matching since it uses the photo optic technology.

I might also suggest that if a passive is desired then an autoformer or transformer volume control passive could be an option as well.

I, too, would be wary of your choices -- not because they are bad products but because of their "synergy" -- except for the passive. (For the latter, check your amp's specs, of course, or ask Placette directly)

BTW, why not get a used CAT pr? Plenty of dynamic content & driving energy to make yr Graaf sing.

Agree with the CAT pre but would also consider A Joule pre.

Clio,

George, the manufacturer of the Lightspeed, recommends no more than 1K Ohm output and no less than 47K Ohm input.

Frankly, I am shocked at how good this preamp is.