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"Too much gain"? (Cary SLP05 question)

A few days or so ago, someone had revived an old Cary SLP 05 thread, and common to that discussion seemed to be the subject of too much gain. 

My first question is:  does compensating for too much gain by simply adjusting the volume knob knob down degrade the sonic quality?

My second (2 part) question relates to this quote from one of the replies in that thread:

 A quick note to Pass Labs and they suggested a pair of Rothwell 10db balanced attenuators into the amp’s inputs.

What exactly do balanced attenuators do to resolve this issue, and if placed between the preamp and the amp, would they degrade the signal path & therefore the sonic result out of the speakers?

I am a relatively new owner/operator of a SLP05 and it is in front of one of the earlier Cary V12s.  I did find those balanced attenuators on ebay for (I think I remember them being) $89 a pair, which I find totally doable.  I am lsitening in a (very) near field room right now, and it seem as if I do have a lot of gain.  Generally the big knob is on 9 o'clock plus or minus a little bit depending upon the source material I am listening to.  I am using the balanced ins and outs to & from my SLP05 and I have been given to understand that using RCAs would reduce the gain somewhat.  I do have some RCAs (I am presently using Kimber Silver Streak balanced interconnects) but my collection of spare RCAs is Kimber PBJ and Monsters. 

For $89 should I try putting a pair of those  of Rothwell 10db balanced attenuators into the balanced amp’s inputs?

 

immatthewj
avanti1960
1,406 posts
 

@immatthewj 

sorry if I misunderstood.  

the goal is the best sound possible for the preamp and amp system and let the volume control fall where it may.  

in my case I started with the gain controls at max level and listened.  the sound was to edgy, like a phono preamp with too much gain, even at moderate volume levels.  it sounded slightly coarse, like you did not want to turn it up at all even beginning with low to moderate volume.  

I then backed off the levels until the sound was smooth and lost the edginess- happened to be right about mid level.  

it isn't about where the volume control lands, the gain controls adjust for the best sound though the volume range.  

i started with them at the highest setting (1) so that I knew what too much gain sounded like and (2) backing off just enough to sweeten the sound and not too much to lose dynamics and drive.  

FYI with digital sources volume at 9:00 is just starting to be fun, with vinyl the volume likes to be at 10:00 to 11:00.  

adjust the gain for the best smoothest sound starting at the top level and the relative volume level will sort itself.  

knighttodd
197 posts
 

I have that same problem with my AR ls28se. Using the dac I can only go to 10 or 12 on the control before its too loud. I'm running 4 mono blocks, 2 PL evo 400 and 2 PSA 700m amplifier.  How could I incorporate this into my system?

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

I forgot the SLP has separate channel volume controls. I really don't think there is much difference between the main volume control and the individual volume controls. An attenuator on the other hand will drive the pre-amp harder, with less noise, and nearer the best operating range of the pre-amp. Not sure if it will sound better than just killing the volume balance knobs but on paper you would be operating in a better area. 

paulcreed
536 posts
 

I had a Bruce Moore preamp with dual Goldpoint stepped volume pots. Volume was either to loud or to low, was not enjoyable. I contacted Goldpoint and he walked me through how to add resistors. I ordered some Takman resistors and soldered them in and each step was not so drastic. I could now find the perfect volume setting. I don’t know if you can add resistors but you may be able to change out you volume pot. 

immatthewj OP
1,076 posts
 

Thank you again to all that have offered me input on this.

@twoleftears  for the moment I will single out your reply as I can answer these questions with concrete answers:

There are two issues here, does the volume pot have an optimal operation range (typically around half way between min and max), and does the way the volume pot operates at the moment give you enough fine adjustability to hit exactly the volume that you want to listen at.

#1  That would be about twelve o-clock, and if I put it there with anything but low level recordings, it would be blasting me out of my small listening room.  It would be LOUD.

#2 Yes, I can find a level that works for me, but it gets there quick.  As previously typed, usually around nine o-clock with some + or - depending upon the level of the recording. 

After reading through that revived SLP05 thread, it made me wonder and inquire if the same volume would sound better if I was obtaining it at a higher setting of the volume knob.  In other words, would my desired volume have a better sonic quality if it was achieved with the volume knob set to twelve o-clock or more as opposed to  nine o-clock.

@russ69   when you say that an attenuator "will drive the preamp harder," is the bottom line that this is what I want to do to achieve (at least "on paper") better sonic quality? 

 

 

 

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