Balanced linestage (active or passive) for under $2K

Hantra · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 02:42 am »

The Cary blows too. I have heard it in a few systems, and hated it.

Nevertheless, I didn't say the CAT doesn't sound good. I just don't think it's deserving of the religious praise that people seem to bestow on it. I mean, the freaking Kora didn't even have Siemen's in it yet when I did the comparo, and even the CAT owner said it was very close. We're talking about a preamp that can be had for $4,000+ less than the CAT.

zybar · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 02:45 am »

B,

Speaking of Cary...

I will be down there tomorrow afternoon.

Too bad I won't have time to meet you...maybe next time?

GW

Hantra · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 03:01 am »

What the heck are you doing down here?

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 03:39 am »

Quote

The Cary blows too.

You have such tact, Hantra

zybar · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 03:44 am »

I wouldn't have put it as "tactfully" as B, but I am not a big fan of Cary as well.

B, I have to go see one of my customers (MCI).

GW

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #25 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 05:03 am »

Zybar,

I'm waaaaay intrigued

by PS Audio's new preamp...the PCA-2.

Fully balanced, Class A, remote and more at $1995.00. Accessory massive power supply additional $995.00.

http://psaudio.com/products/pca2.asp

Hantra · « **Reply #26 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:20 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy

Zybar,

I'm waaaaay intrigued by PS Audio's new preamp...the PCA-2.

Fully balanced, Class A, remote and more at $1995.00. Accessory massive power supply additional $995.00.

http://psaudio.com/products/pca2.asp

I'll let you know how this one is. A friend of mine just ordered one, and we'll be comparing it to the Placette passive. He got rid of the Cary for the Placette (thank goodness

). . .

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #27 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 03:30 pm »

Hantra,

Definitely love to hear how that comparo goes...

The old PS Audio made a lot of good, reasonably priced preamps and Stan Warren ('S' in PS) made some very respectable Superphon preamps.

The lineage/bloodlines seem good there to make a killer new preamp....

Did your friend get the outboard power supply, too?...I think it JUST came out.

Hantra · « **Reply #28 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 04:08 pm »

Quote

The lineage/bloodlines seem good there to make a killer new preamp....

That's exactly what I was thinking. This guy hasn't been into audio as long as us "old-timers"

, and I was telling him that if there is one thing that company is famous for, it's preamps, and that power conditioning was more recent.

Quote

Did your friend get the outboard power supply, too?...I think it JUST came out.

Not yet. If he keeps it, he will get it. If it's even close to the Placette, I think he will keep it, and get the power supply. The Placette is not bad, but I don't think it belongs in the realm of the greats.

B

zybar · « **Reply #29 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 04:14 pm »

Just put the Placette in the system.

I don't want to comment on the unit yet, but I can say the following:

No tubes in my system for the first time in 9 years!!

Very different sound....I will need some time to get used to it and see if I like it.

GW

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #30 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 04:27 pm »

George- what preamp did you have in the system before?

I hear you on no tubes. No tubes or vinyl would make mcrespo71

zybar · « **Reply #31 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 04:31 pm »

I took out the MiniMax with NOS tubes.

I was definitely digging the Mini and preferred it to the sound of my AVA T7.

Yup, hard to believe that I no longer have vinyl or tubes.

Do I have to hand in my "Audiophile Membership Card"?

GW

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #32 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 04:38 pm »

As the president of the Luddites subgroup of the Audiophile Club, I disavow you from the club!!

You may return once tubes and vinyl are safely back in your system!

Michael

flintstone · « **Reply #33 on:** 20 Feb 2004, 12:15 am »

I had the Placette and Bent in my system about a year ago, I bought the Bent. Both were very good but in the end it's a matter of taste I guess.

The Placette was very detailed in sound at the upper most fqz's, both had very, very good midrange..the Bent almost tubed like and more laid-back. The Bent had much better bass, fuller sounding and more robust. I also liked the balanced outs on the Bent, this would mean nothing to most others though.

Sony XA-777es
Bent TVC
Krell Ksa-250
Apogee Duetta Signature
Cables: Harmonic Tech. and Acustic Zen

My system has gone through a change but these are the components I had at that time.

Dave

vpolineni · « **Reply #34 on:** 20 Feb 2004, 06:19 am »

to all of those interested in the ps audio pca-2, here's a good deal on audiogon (i'm in no way affiliated with this sale):
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?cablintr&1082335948

zybar · « **Reply #35 on:** 20 Feb 2004, 06:37 am »

I wouldn't call 15% off a good deal.

You should be able to get that from a dealer, not an individual.

Just my two cents.

GW

G-7 · « **Reply #36 on:** 21 Feb 2004, 10:36 pm »

P1 is also for under 2k and has it all. Sonically superior. find out more http://www.bvaudio.com