Placette Audio passive linestage --MINT--

steveinaz

For Sale: Placette Audio RVC passive linestage (remote controlled)
Condition: Flawless
Specifics: http://www.placetteaudio.com/remote_control.htm
BONUS: I will include a set of 1mtr Kimber Hero (WBT connectors) IC's


Excellent passive linestage with remote volume control. Extremely linear and dead quiet. I've never had any issues with any sourcee not being able to drive my amp to full volume. I used mine connected to my DAC, which had 4 sources connected; CD player, BluRay Player, Squeezebox Touch, and DTV HD box. Super fine volume adjustment is very nice; this passive presents a perfect 9k load to your amp at ALL volume settings. It has to be heard to be appreciated. It has 1 set of RCA inputs, and 1 set of RCA outputs.

New: $1000 (plus shipping)
My price: $625 shipped (CONUS only)

I don't "do" paypal, so we'll discuss payment options in PM. Payment plan will be considered with trusted members, and no, I won't make you wait--I'll ship immediately; because I'm cool like that.

steveinaz

Placette RVC in system:

falconcry72

Nice piece for sure. What are you moving to, Steve??

rooftop59

Hey Steve ignorant question here, but can you explain a little more what this is and what it does? I'm sure its awesome if its in your setup, but many of us might like more info...

GLWS!

steveinaz

BTW, the toggle switch on the front also controls volume, should the remote batteries die on you.

steveinaz

falconcry72 wrote: »

Nice piece for sure. What are you moving to, Steve??

My plan is to sell this first, then My benchmark DAC/PRE, and move to a remote controlled Benchmark DAC2 D.

steveinaz

rooftop59 wrote: »

Hey Steve ignorant question here, but can you explain a little more what this is and what it does? I'm sure its awesome if its in your setup, but many of us might like more info...

GLWS!

A passive linestage is based on "simple is better" principle. It controls volume only, so it minimizes components getting between you and your music. There's no preamplification stage, as most any component these days has enough output to drive most amps to full volume, without the need for a preamplifier section. It makes for a very nice smooth sound quality, with very good imaging and linearity. The Vishay resistors in this unit are top notch, and give you a seriously anchored center stage as well as a very "layered" presentation. In a nutshell, it's a purist approach to volume control.

Folk's with multi-input DAC's can simply connect all their sources to the DAC, then connect the DAC to the Placette linestage for volume control---then on to the power amplifier; OR, if you have a single source---lets say a CD player, you connect it directly to the Placette--then on to the amp.

rooftop59

Thanks for the info Steve, that sounds awesome. Someday maybe I'll get close to that level...when all my kids graduate from college in 22 years lol...

again GLWS and happy birthday dude!

steveinaz

Thank you!

steveinaz

The need for a preamp when most sources already have enough output to drive a power amp is really related to the need for an accurate and truly transparent volume control. Accurate in the sense of not introducing non-linear distortions and accurate in that it can track all possible output settings while still keeping perfect channel to channel balance without having to use a separate balance control. Placette Audio solves this problem with a stepped volume attenuator that provides 125 discrete volume steps and by using only the very costly Vishay S 102 resistors. These incomparable resistors simply do not damage the audio signal. They pass it along intact, unlike any other resistor.

The sonic value of the Vishay S 102 is well known but the cost is so high (several dollars each instead of a just a few cents!) that some builders use them only in certain parts of the attenuators. For example, sending the audio signal through a single Vishay and then grounding through something else. This doesn't work. The only way to get the clarity, purity and transparency that these resistors are known for is to use them exclusively, in every part of the audio circuit or control. When used exclusively in this way, Vishay resistors more than triple the cost of any product they are used in! But when you hear your system without the grain, the brightness and the smearing common to lesser controls, you will readily agree that they are worth every cent!

Another important quality of Placette Volume Attenuators is that they provide a constant input impedance. This is important because your source should always see the same load at every volume setting to keep it from sounding different at different volume settings. And that load should be one that is as resistive at audio frequencies as possible. Again, only Vishay's offer an almost totally resistive load so that your source is always playing into the easiest possible load. You will then have full access to everything that your sources are capable of offering.

In order to keep all active circuitry out of the volume control, all switching in the attenuator is done with ultra-sensitive relays. Active switching, although much less expensive to build, can introduce non-linear distortions that translate into listening errors that mean irritation and listener fatigue.

The perfect loading of your sources coupled with the inherent transparency of the Vishay
resistors means that Placette Linestages and passive Volume Controls actually go a little beyond total transparency in the sense that they will enable your present source components to sound far better than you ever though possible and then deliver that undistorted signal to your power amplifiers.

Ern Dog

Killer preamp! I've have the Placette active preamp for a couple years now in my system. What I like about Placete is that it doesn't add it's own colorations into the mix. It's transparent.

steveinaz

REDUCED: $575 shipped!

falconcry72

man, I'm really interested in this piece... but it won't work in my current setup because my amp is balanced only... BUT, I may be getting new amps soon that will have single-ended inputs... hmm...

EndersShadow

falconcry72 wrote: »

man, I'm really interested in this piece... but it won't work in my current setup because my amp is balanced only... BUT, I may be getting new amps soon that will have single-ended inputs... hmm...

This thing is very good for the price. I think you would be extremely happy with it. If not at this price you can get your investment back for sure.

steveinaz

Well, let me know. I certainly can work a payment plan with you, not a big deal at all bubba. For a dedicated 2 channel setup, this thing would be heavenly---the included WBT Kimber Hero's mate perfectly.

steveinaz

NOTE: If you don't want the Kimber Hero set, I'll take $50 off the price of the Placette ($525 shipped).

TSWisla

I own this PVC, it is excellent. I use it in place of a preamp as I run an analog only setup with an X250 and a JC-3 with excellent results. Highly recommended!

steveinaz

Bump for info: I'll be out of the loop from 11 March thru 17 March.

steveinaz

Decided not to sell the Placette, mods please mark as sold.

tonyb

Shame Steve, I was just about to offer 800 for it....lol.