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
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?

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,153 posts
 

@avanti1960 is the XA30.8 brand new?

avanti1960 OP
1,480 posts
 

i am willing to try attenuators but are they any more effective than the front panel level controls?  which are variable resistors, no?

 

avanti1960 OP
1,480 posts
 

@audphile1 

not new, a few years old.  

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,913 posts
 

You have a tube preamp and I am the only one advising you to roll those tubes 😂

I believe these preamps ship (at least they used to) with Electro Harmonix tubes which are great to liven up a dull/dark system but could very well be a bad match in yours. Adding attenuators can lower the noise floor but won't help the main issue you cite. 

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