cd player + preamp = too much gain

hi Bob - yeah I really didn't like them. Still searching for another way...might just ditch the preamp and get the Lightspeed Passive ... seems a good option....

Just found these which could do the trick - any ideas as to the quality of parts;

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ALVA-Suzy-Passive-Line-Attenuator-p/9999-01459.htm

http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/2680892/vpcsid/0/SFV/30046

Hi Vaughan,

I would not recommend either of those devices.

The "Peripheral" is intended for car audio and sells for only $16, and appears to have nickel-plated connectors. Enough said!

The Alva is intended for use with pro equipment, and therefore may not have its resistor and potentiometer values chosen to be optimal with consumer equipment. Also the amount of hardware that it includes (lots of connectors, and several switches in addition to the volume control), in combination with its $100 price, would seem to suggest that quality may not be the greatest.

I would still suggest buying a pair of Rothwell's, and using them in conjunction with the Goldenjack's so that 10db is at the input to the preamp and 10db is at the input to the power amp. That avoids the necessity of additional interconnect cables that the other devices would require (which would very conceivably have significant sonic effects due to their interaction with the output impedances of the passive volume controls). And if the Rothwell's + Goldenjacks proves to be an unsatisfactory approach I would expect you to have no trouble selling them, considering how many other people seem to have similar problems these days.

Regards,
-- Al

The Lightspeed Attenuator is a great passive preamp, but before buying you need to ensure it will match up with your other components, especially the amp. Typically your amps input sensitivity should be around 1V. The input impedance should be around 75kohms or higher. The output impedance of your source should also be low, with enough voltage output, 2V plus. I have plenty of play in the attenuator on my Lightspeed. Typically it sits around 12 o'clock.