Can a simple DIY volume knob replace a pre-amp?

What you are refering to is called a "passive preamp", which is nothing more than just a potentiometer, aka volume control, stuck in a box of some sort, with RCAs in and out.

I know a lot of guys using them, and they do work well within their limitations. Depending on the value of the pot, input capacitance of the amp and cables, blah, blah......you can lose some of the top end. Bottom end usually suffers some, as drive impedance is high. (Don't ask me to explain why, just trust me.)

You may like it, you may hate it. Won't cost much to try it.

Thanks Gmood1, if I want to built one for my own, where can I get those parts?
I also find a company call Placette, they make some passive pre-amp with remote control (that is very important!). Did anyone try that?

Hi Waip7 ,

You can call Jack Elliano of Electra print. He will explain to you how to do it. And where the parts can be bought.He makes his own transformers .He's a great guy to call just to pick his brain.He really knows his stuff.
He's retired ..so this stuff he does for fun. He will try to save you as much money as possible without steering you down the road of over hyped over priced equipment.
Cheers

I know most of the better pre amps don't use a volume pot or know because it effects the sound as stated above. The better way to do this is with a multiposition slide switch and a bunch of resisters. This is what AR does int he sp-16 pre amp. Most now have electronic controls. There is a reason these things cost bucks it is usally not that simple. But all depends on the quality you want.

You can get high grade hand made stepped attenuators here Endler attenuators. The cost is relatively cheap compared to other companies but the quality is second to none.You just have to know what to look for in this hobby to keep from getting ripped off.Using these in the PVA should give great results if the cd players output impedance is low enough.