2. amps-preamps
  3. 180958-65619

Too Much Gain the Issue ? (preamp and amp)

I have a Cary SLP-05 preamp- 24db gain with balanced and 17db single ended.  

Using a Pass Labs XA30.8 (26db gain) and even with the 17db of the single ended output of the Cary preamp the sound can frequently be sibilant in the upper midrange.   

Have not had the sibilant sound with other amps (Parasound JC5) but did lower the gain on that amp to 50% of dial.  

Thanks.  

 

avanti1960
avanti1960 OP
1,480 posts
 

thanks so far.

couple things-

not really a brigtness issue, more like slightly hissy treble. 

my pass xa25 sounds perfectly clean

cary can adjust the gain but i am not willing to go down that road

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,597 posts
 

What attenuators are recommended?

I used inexpensive Rothwell's between an AI Mod 3A an Audion Silver Night years ago and they seemed to work/sound fine.

Think they were rated 10dB.

DeKay

 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,629 posts
 

Try some cheap pads. I think you will find that it is NOT a gain problem.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,887 posts
 

@avanti1960 Wrote:

thanks so far.

couple things-

not really a brigtness issue, more like slightly hissy treble.

my pass xa25 sounds perfectly clean

cary can adjust the gain but i am not willing to go down that road

That’s because the Voltage gain is lower, on the Pass Labs XA25 amp which is 20dB gain and the Pass Labs XA30.8 amp is 26dB gain lower, gain less hiss. 😎

Mike

immatthewj
2,051 posts
 

I remember posting a similar question (Cary SLP 05 & lots of gain) and at the time I thought that the consensus was that a attenuators simply added another volume control(s) in the signal chain?

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