Super-sensitive volume controls - remedy?


I'm getting real tired of preamps with a volume control that does everything from a faint whisper to way too loud all in the 8:00 to 10:00 position on the dial. My old Rotel RC-995 was like that, and now my new Parasound 2100; both with remote volume that becomes useless with that level of sensitivity. Of course, I noticed a big change when I switched from Maggie MG12's to Tekton Lore Reference, even with my old Luxman CX-100.

My question is not about searching for preamps that don't do that, but whether there is a transparent method of attenuation, either externally or internally, that would allow a more gradual and precise volume adjustment.
minkwelder
You could try some Rothwell (or similar) in line gain attenuators between preamp and amp. They look just like RCA jacks, but they reduce gain by 10-12 dB.
The Rothwell attenuators work well but if you have that problem consistently you might consider that you've got too much overall gain in your system and look for an amp or a pre-amp w less gain. Also, some pre-amps have an internal jumper that allows you to reduce it's gain.
Go passive. However, your issue is most likely your source is too hot. This either because the engineering of the music, due to excessive compression or even high efficiency speakers being driven by too much amp.

In any case...in line attenuation or a passive pre might be in order. Or....if it is the amp.....a less powerful amp.