Thoughts on Placette Preamps?


i am considering an in-home trial of the placette passive pre to replace my current meridian preamp. other stuff in my sys includes a 508.24, vk-75, and avalons. any thoughs on compatibility?

has anyone tried the placette stuff and NOT liked it? also, their units are typically single-ended...is paying the 80% surcharge for balanced worth it, whether in general, or in my system in particular?

thanks.
s2k_dude

Showing 1 response by tireguy

I am in a similar situation, I have a VK-60 powering Avalon’s, and seriously considered the Placette passive pre. Though I decided that the 80% more was not justifiable just to use balanced cables, I have heard only good about these unit and with the home trial there is nothing to loose, besides shipping of course(but that is cheap insurance). I am unfamiliar with your CD player(no personal experience with it) but most true enthusiasts agree that a system sounds better going through a pre(of some sort, not sure if passive fits in this league or not...) no particular reason, it just does, one of those unchallenged audio rules. I was not sure between the BAT amp and the power hungry Avalon’s if the passive pre was the best set up, I have a feeling that the volume will need to be cranked a good deal of the time, which is not flattering to the rest of the system. But hay it is a free in home trial, it may be worth a little time to get a component that will work very well. Good luck and let us know how you make out. ~Tim