Trying to find a passive attenuator with a mono/stereo switch and RCA in and RCA out


My audio system is two-channel, vinyl only. I'm considering replacing my preamp with a device that sits between my phono stage and my amp, in which the device provides: (1) volume control; and (2) a mono/stereo switching option. All of my connections are unbalanced so the device has to have RCA's for both input and output. I don't need any gain on the source input and I don't need any source switching.

I've looked at high-end stuff, low-end stuff (Aliexpress etc.), pro audio gear, and vintage stuff, and can't find a device that provides passive attenuation, a mono/stereo switch, and has RCA in and RCA out.

Any suggestions for where to look for such a thing? Thanks!

patrickhenrypdx

@invalid  thank you for the pointer to Space-Tech Lab. I hadn't heard of them before.

 

@russ69 can you elaborate on what you mean about the preamp? My signal path now is turntable-external phono stage-preamp-amp. The preamp is operating in 'direct' mode, which provides no gain or tone controls. It's essentially merely an attenuator. What about a preamp makes it "key to a good system"? It seems like replacing my preamp with an attenuator would be an even swap in terms of the signal path.

Modify the Schiit Sys input selector switch to a stereo/mono switch by soldering 2 resistors and a jumper wire, this is a 15 minute job.