Can a preamp's gain be lowered?

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.

i read somewhere where a guy bought from england rca adaptors that reduced gain by 14db and did not effect the sound.

Mingles,

You could always specify your choice of resistors to Cary. Typically I like the Audio Note Tantalum, but in some instances the Roderstein or Vishay resistors also worked well for me.