Can a preamp's gain be lowered?

Since your preamp uses 6SN7s and you say you are comfortable with DIY, you might want to try something similar to the modification I made to my Supratek Chenin preamp. I built two adapters that let me use 7193 (aka 2C22) single triodes instead of 6SN7s. They are half the gain of a 6SN7, cost $5-10 each, look pretty cool with their dual top caps, and IMHO sound much better. I have detailed the modification on the last page of the "Preamp Deal of the Century" thread if you are interested.

Here are a couple of links;
http://www.play-hookey.com/dc_theory/voltage_divider.html
and
http://www.goldpt.com/mods.html

I built external dividers since I wasn't sure whether I was going to keep that particular preamp (which I didn't), but if you are happy with your system and your preamp, I still recommend internally constructing the dividers, or as Goldpoint calls them; "preattenuation circuits."
I can send pictures of my balanced dividers to you if you e-mail me privately.

Ait, I appreciate you pointing this out to me. Your mod sounds very intriguing. You know a lot more about tubes and circuits than I do. After reading your description, I see there's very little in the way of actual changes (just two wires if I'm not mistaken), but I have to wonder if your instructions translate to the AE-3. I'm a bit leery of changing the circuit. I might revisit this another day, but for now I'd like to try something less risky.

Mitch2, thanks for those links. I figured it was a voltage divider. I'll email you for pics and values you used.

Thanks again to everyone.

I used to own the DJH preamp with 2 different SS poweramps (Linn Klout and Pass Labs Aleph 30) and its 20 db gain had me clipping the amps at 11 o'clock. I sold it because it had little volume control adjustment, even if it did sound awesome.

This preamp was designed for use with the Sixpacs. I think it would also work with the earlier Rocket 88 (non R). I liked the DJH pre a lot but feel it still won't work with the new Superamp 2 that I now own. I would call Cary's tech suport (same for AES), and ask about a recommended mod for it. 919-355-0010 They are up on this design.

Hi Mjcmt, I've been emailing with Gerald Walsh at AES. He said they can reduce the gain to 10 dB. I'm considering it. It's only $125. But I know I could build attenuators for a fraction of that price (probably using better resistors), so that's my dilemma.