Preamp gain question

If the problem is too much gain, the solution is removing excess gain, not attenuation. Fix the problem, don't try to hide it.

dave

But it's interesting to note that in the PV10A they reduced the overall gain by 13.5db, relative to the PV10.

The 10A is linestage only, could that be why?

Fix the problem, don't try to hide it.

Any easy suggestions on how to accomplish this?

I take it that changing tubes is not a solution?

Thanks again
z

The 10A is linestage only, could that be why?/

According to what I read at their site, the 10AL is linestage only, while the 10A includes a phono stage. Although it was in the line stage of the 10A that the gain reduction was made; apparently an identical phono stage was used on both the 10 and 10A.

I take it that changing tubes is not a solution?

I don't think so. A good circuit design is designed to be as independent as possible of variations in tube characteristics, within the range of variation that can be expected for the specified tube type. Although in a no-feedback design such as this there will probably be somewhat more variability as a function of tube characteristics than with a design that uses a lot of feedback. But I still don't think that is the way to approach the problem.

Regards,
-- Al

I wanted to add the following sentence at the end of my previous post, but we don't seem to have an edit function on this forum (someone please let me know if there is a way of editing one's own posts):

A tube set for a preamp that would result in a 10 or 20db reduction in gain from the design's specifications is probably defective.

The only thing I can suggest is to get a good feel for the proper gain structure you need and make system changes accordingly. From your last post you seem to be using something else for Phono, is this the case? Right now it seems you are adding about 30dB of gain with your pre only to attenuate around 50dB.

dave