Placette

Nskaye, I would recommend you take a look at my review on the Bent Tap linestage that contains many details on the sonics of the Placette Active linestage.

The Placette Active linestage was my reference for over three years and replaced a ML-32 for $12000.00 less. I auditioned over seven other preamps, both tubed and solid state, that did not out perform the Placette, untill the Bent Audio Tap did recently for the reasons stated in my review.

I run the Placette and IMHO, it's as good as a preamp gets.

pair with a mac pre...any model from the c15 up. the synergy is perfecto!

Before you buy anything, you should contact North American Products about their H-Cat Holographic preamp. Go to www.H-Cat.com and you can get a list of dealers. I previously owned a Placette passive preamp. Not bad for the money, but IMHO, the H-Cat is in a class of it's own. Please try to audition it, before you buy anything. I don't think you'll be sorry.

I replaced my CAT SL1 MKII with the Placette RVC after having bought it simply to provide me with remote volume control. At $1,000 with a 30-day trial you cannot go wrong -you can use your own ears in your own system without out having to rely on reviews and opinions other than your own. You need to speak with Guy to disucss your sources, amplifier and cables to make sure the passive approach works - if it does, you will be amazed how good a $1000 preamplfier can sound. Even better, is Placette's Active Linestage (which I now own); at $5000, it is not quite the deal of RVC, unless you consider that is competitive with any preampfier out there at any price. I won't argue it is the best - no such thing - but is certainly worth considering when looking for one of the better preamplfiers on the market. From a $$$ point of view, the RVC is no slouch and a no brainer.