Placete Model Preamplifiers

Placete Model Preamplifiers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 24  
[Apr 05, 2023]
SheilaBoserio


Strength:

I love this product. It is amazing. It is of the highest quality and it is affordable. For insurance consultancy, call us now.

Weakness:

None None None

Price Paid:
$200
Purchased:
New  
Model Year:
2010
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Mar 23, 2023]
QoPain


Strength:

Some parts have a weakness, but overall it is good quality.

Weakness:

I love it. I really appreciate the product so much. Thank you so much! - QoP | https://www.bathroomrenovationguelph.ca/

Purchased:
New  
Model Year:
2019
OVERALL
RATING
4
[Jun 04, 2021]
Thomas Maxwell


Strength:

Transparent sound and imaging. irrigation ballarat arborist click here car detailing ballarat

Weakness:

Shows up any weakness of other components. Build quality should have better designed chassis. www.commercialpaintersbrisbane.com click here

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Mar 01, 2003]
Joe
Audio Enthusiast

I have just installed this unit between my Sony DVP9000ES and Audio Research 100.2. I have been very impressed to date. This preamp works as advertised. I can clearly hear certain vocal passages and soft percussion that I could not make out before. Perhaps, the most honest product I have encountered. It reduces the signal and imparts clarity and lower distortion just as Guy Hammel said it would.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 05, 2003]
JD3
AudioPhile

Strength:

Clarity & fine-tunning

Weakness:

Needs short length cables with passive unit

My NHT VT-2 5.1 audio/video system needed an analog volume control to play SACD from a Sony 9000ES CD/DVD/SACD player with a by-pass when using a Theta Casa Nova to play DVD. Placete had the right combo for just over $1100. While this Review area only has space for a pre-amp unit, Placete has 3 different pre-amps, an active unit at around $4000, a passive unit at around $1400, & the one I got, a Volume Control Unit for a single input for $1000 with an added by-pass for an extra $100. Easy to set up & plays analog SACD with such clarity that my NHT VT-2 sounds almost as good as my larger stereo system with Martin Logan SL3's. This is the answer for audio-manics that need a simple answer to play SACD stereo within an all digital 5.1 digital system

Similar Products Used:

Audio Reseach LS9 & LS16, Theta Casa Nova

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 30, 2003]
Verbatum
AudioPhile

Strength:

An open window to the recording. Nice build quality. Neutral, not euphonic

Weakness:

Not a weakness really but should be partnered with gear that does not have glaring defects like el cheapo CD players.

I have the passive version and it is simply a straight wire with gain...the ideal that all preamps are supposed to strive for...but seldom achieve. Requires a good break in. Fit and finish are absolutely first rate. Transparent, grainless and uncolored.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, Conrad Johnson, Rogue, Classe

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 13, 2002]
fordcoupe
AudioPhile

Strength:

Dynamics/soundstaging/transparency

Weakness:

Underwhelming cosmetics.

I inserted the Placette one input remote unit into my system with much anticipation It did not disappoint! Rather, it was very dynamic and transparent. The soundstage was wider and deeper than my previous active preamps (exc. the Cello). This passive pre is worth every penny, and a bargain used. I have used the EVS passive controls and found them to lack in dynamics. I use only a turntable, so the single input is all that is needed. My system is a Basis table/Graham 2.2/VPI SDS/Helikon/Pass Xono/Placette/KR VT6000 monos/Nordost Quattros and SPM Ref. cables/Virt. Dynamics Nite power cords/Wilson Watt/active air suspension tables.

Similar Products Used:

TLC 1R passive/KR P150 active/CJ Premier 14 active/EVS passive/Cello Palette(wonderful, but too many inputs and controls).

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 17, 2002]
gold
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Dynamic, Good bass drive, No veiling like some tube preamps, No brightness like some solid state preamps.

Weakness:

Looks! This thing is just not pretty at all.

Nice preamp! Clearly the best passive unit on the market. If you want to hear clarity from your source material you must try the Placette. It really is transparent. Some might like tubes but the low noise floor makes the Placette my first choice.

Similar Products Used:

BAT 3i, Reference line, First sound, Classe, Krell, Plinius, McCormick

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 24, 2002]
Illoong Kwon
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Transparency

Weakness:

Lack of dynamics

Matched with Musical fidelity A3CR amp and Rega Planet 2000 CD player, this preamp failed to impress me. Yes, I did use low inductance silver ICs. This was disappointing since Guy Hummel at Placette assured me that it will match well with my system. Simply put, the lack of dynamics was so apparent. Back to Rogue 66 magnum tube preamp, the dynamics were back. Much better... By all means, try it before you buy.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity A3CR, Rogue 66 magnum, Cary SLP-2002

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 13, 2000]
Larry
Audiophile

Strength:

phenomenal soundstage; clarity; accuracy

Weakness:

lacks romantic warmth/envelopment of certain tube preamps

I hope no one reads this and then decides to buy this preamp. I've talked to dealers who have said that they cannot sell an item until it receives a favorable review in one of the major mags. What a shame. At most, a review should point out possible candidates for purchase. That is why it is a pity that products such as the placette preamplifier are not reviewed because they are not widely available. Why review the stuff anyone can go and hear for themselves and not the stuff that is hard to find? The placette is only available by direct purchase and 30-day trial. If you are looking for a remote controlled preamplifier, it is worth sending away for this unit.

Although the placette preamplifier does not actually amplify line level signals, unlike passive preamplifiers I have tried in the past which tend to enervate every signal which passes through them, the placette preserves the drive and impact of rhythmic, dynamic music. It must be the buffers. Its hard to describe the "character" of this preamplifier since it changes with each selected recording. This suggests that it is accurately reproducing what is in the recording instead of imparting its own quality on the signal. While their were times I wished the music had more of the kind of warmth and seeming "in the room" presence of tube preamplifiers, such as the Cary, I am guessing that this is actually a coloration since the Cary has this quality with whatever is passed through it. Besides, the placette achieves that quality of spectral presence of musicians by creating solid, stable images, that seem to be anchored in a definite place on a deep soundstage.

I terms of ease of use, the remote control handles switching of all inputs. The volume attenuators has something like 126 discrete steps. However, in my set-up, the lowest level is somewhat louder than I would prefer, and the steps in the lower volume range could be closer together. Using a Linn Linto phono preamplifier and a Lyra mc cartridge, I could not get enough gain from the built-in headphone amplifier to play my grado HP-1 headphones at anything approaching the threshold of pain; with CDs, the gain is sufficient.

Very highly recommended. Should be auditioned.

Similar Products Used:

BAT-VK5i; BAT VK30; Cary PL98; Krell KRC; Coda FET-01

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 24  

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