Cat Ultimate MkII Preamp mods for volume control?

Thanks for your input, there are a few questions though:

Tubes108
Since I have not had a chance to call Ken Stevens have you had a chance to hear an Ultimate with a "higher end" volume control unit offered by Convergent Audio?

Pubul57
I have also read your thread on active/passive pre's (I'll be honest - I don't know what the difference is). Are you currently using the Placette RVC with the CAT, also being that the CAT is an active pre as stated would the mix of a passive volume control change the sonic character of the Ultimate?
The web site for the Placette RVC states that this is a low cost unit for $1,000.00. I may be missing something here. Maybe for hi end audio this is low cost control. I wonder if Convergent Audio does have a "higher end" control unit what the price would be.

Thanks for you help

Hi Proclaim123. No, I have not heard the other vol control. I am aware of it as it was mentioned as an option when I got my Ultimate. I went with the stock control. I am sure that if you call CAT, they could provide any tradeoffs, should there be any, with the use of the other vol control.

Please let us know what happens. Best of luck!

Tubes108
I contacted Conv. Audio today and spoke with one of their technicians. The preamp that I have is line stage only which I was informed has the CD taper volume control unit. This CD taper volume control unit has smaller changes built in the unit (meaning more) vs. the Ultimate pre w/phono which has fewer stepped changes. I was advised to e-mail Ken to see if there is any other way through Conv. Audio themselves to achieve this. I'll keep you posted.

Unfortunately, what you are dealing with is endemic to a a high gain pre-amp with a stepped attenuator. The stepped attenuator is reported to sound better, but coupled with the high gain inherent in the design, it makes for very large volume changes at the low end. Its actually one (not the only one) of the reasons why I sold mine. You can put a fixed attenuator in line btwn the pre and the amp and it will help some. I used a 12 dB unit and it made it acceptable, but it was clumsy with heavy interconnects and puts a lot of stress on the rcas. YMMV.

Just an update for those interested. I spoke with Ken Stevens from Convergent Audio today. His suggestion would be to have resistors installed on the volume control unit itself which would lower the gain by 6db overall. This install could either be done by C.A.T. themselves or he would send out the resistors for free to either have myself or another qualified person install. Ken charges a minimum of $375 for an "over all check up" of the unit and would include the resistors with that. The check up would include a diagnostic check with minor repairs if needed.
He also stated that the Placette remote volume control unit could be used on the tape loop only, but wasn't too keen on the idea.