haven't used Placette but passives lack dynamics.CJ (older stuff) is noisy.Adcom is OK but not quite up to your Pass piece.Others up there can't say I have experience with them to offer 2 Cents.I see that there is a compact digital Bel Canto up for sale today that might work well.But current "overachiever" is the Dan Wright Modwright pre for $2500 list.Has tubes but great greives saying it isn't soft or mushy.You could grab a used one for $1500.It would be my current choice.Check out the www.modwright.com site for yourself.
Cheers
Chazz
Cheers
Chazz