Placette pasive pre vs. BAT VK-50SE


Hello!

I need to connect one source (CD only) to my power amp.
I want to make it as transparently (without adding or subtracting anything from the signal) as it is possible.

What would be better - a high quality passive pre, like Placette RVC or an active preamp, like BAT VK-50SE?

Have you tried both or any similar configuration in your system?
mrgigi

Showing 4 responses by mikelavigne

mrgigi, with only one source what you need is the Placette RVC (remote volume control) which i use and am told sounds the same as the Placette passive pre. I have tried the BAT50SE in my system and prefer the Placette although in some systems the BAT50SE can have a better balance with added weight and body.

i have compared the Placette RVC to the volume control in the Audio Aero Capitole 192/24 version 1 and preferred the Placette RVC. the volume control in the Capitole added a coloration and obscured detail. again, in some systems this "warmth" may be preferrable. you do need the additional interconnect as Ultrakaz mentions but that has far less effect on the sound than the mediocre volume control that Audio Aero uses. it is important to keep the interconnect from the Placette to the amp as short as possible to reduce/eliminate any impedence problems.
Arl, save the trouble of considering the #32; i sold my #32 after i compared it to the Placette RVC and the integrated Tenor 75Wi amplifier.....in both cases there was no contest. the more neutral and natural your system is the less you need what ANY active gain stage does.

Avnut, the Placette RVC "is" a passive preamp with only one input. you could certainly use it with a preamp without remote....but some transparency would be lost. i use my RVC with a passive switchbox that is totally neutral.

you can view my system and see how it is layed out at;

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/663.html

i have found that simpler can be much better....but you need a system wide plan to properly take advantage of the simple approach.
Andy, Matt mentioned to me that you were enjoying the Placette....if you did want what a preamp can do, i highly recommend the #32 as a great one, i really enjoyed mine....it was right up there with any active preamp and as you know, it is a wonder to use. i looked at your AA system page, pretty great system you have yourself....i have never heard the Waveform speakers myself but they are suppose to be awesome....i do have a question....did you compare the dCS Elgar to your Wadia 27ix? i am curious how your Purcel works with either DAC. i preferred the Wadia to the Elgar when i compared them a couple of years ago but that was before the Purcel (it was with the 972).

regarding the Placette, i think it is very system-dependent as it reveals what is going on elsewhere in your system. i also believe there are possibly better passive preamps out there but none balanced with a remote volume control.....as basically a lazy guy i gotta have the remote....getting up and down ruins the mood for me. ;^)

both you and Matt sure have the techie video setups....you have the DLP and Matt just got the Plasma....i still have my clunky old CRT. i have a separate home theatre room but i spend all my time in my 2-channel room.....i'm trying to figure out how to put a plasma in my 2-channel room.....what i need is a "virtual screen"....maybe a holographic image that won't screw up my 2-channel sound.
hi Ken, at least i try to keep my opinions humble.

anyway, i would guess that the volume control that is in the Berning ZH-270 would be bettered by the Placette but when i had the Berning in my room i didn't try it with it's own volume control. typically, the arithmatic does not allow for the quality of Vishay stepped attenuator like the Placette in an amplifier in the price range of the Berning.

i have found that typically the quality and execution of any volume control is a much bigger issue that an additional interconnect in performance. any volume control changes the sound.....an interconnect passes the sound. i have owned the Nordost Quattro fil and it is an excellent interconnect and very neutral. so...IMHO...the Placette with an additional Quattro fil would sound better than the Berning volume control without the additional interconnect.

as far as the Joule verses the Placette the Placette is probably more transparent but not necessarily better in your system. Transparency is not everything.....you would need to compare the two and chose the more musically satisfying of the two. again, the Placette will not add any warmth or body, with the Berning ZH-270 being fairly neutral it would depend on your speakers.

i hope that helps.