Question on component impedance mismatch


Or, at least that what I think it is--a mismatch. I have a M900U Luxman amplifier fed by an Audio Research LS27 preamp which is fed from a  Bryston BDA2 DAC. The Audio Research has 3 gain levels and I use the lowest one. Still, when streaming sometimes position 2 or 3 on the ARC is too loud. 

I If I bought in-line attenuators, those little balanced plug in deals where would you place them? At the Preamplifier DAC input connections or the Amplifier input? Roughly what amount of attenuation would be reasonable? 

This is not such an issue when I am cranking the music up high, but when it's evening listening with my wife we've even had it on position 1. I think the volume knob goes up to 103!

I love the sound of my components, just would like a more reasonable volume adjustment.

Thanks for your comments.

128x12861falcon

Impedance?  I think you mean gain. I traded a pre that played around 35 for one that plays around 70.  I prefer the latter.

That said balanced attenuaters are only useful in an analog application, between the pre and power amps.

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You're probably right, gain. I thought impedance somehow was part of the gain equation, but I stand corrected.

I just don't like how low I have to keep the volume knob and was thinking the attenuators would reduce the amount of gain. If that is not the case, can you think of another way, other than trading components to reduce the gain?

Thanks!