2. amps-preamps
  3. 1310264293

Adding Placette for finer volume adjustment?

I cannot get a small-enough volume gradations from the Dact 23-Step attenuator on my (tubed) preamp. I was thinking of trying a Placette passive between the preamp and my power amp. (There is a lot of gain going on with my EMM cdp, a lot with the XLR outputs, less with the SE ones, so I am usually limited to the 1st 4 steps on the attenuator.)

I don't want to muddy-up the sound.

I tried some well-regarded attenuators thingys that attach to the RCA jacks, which did give me decent gradations, but made the sound muddy and veiled, so I gave up on those.

I *LOVE* the sound of the tubed preamp I am using, but I may have to give up on it and just get another preamp so solve this attenuation problem. Oh well...

Thanks.
rgs92
detredwings
162 posts
 
I don't think another preamp is a very good idea. Why not just add a little attenuation on the input of the preamp "voltage divider". Say 6db to start with.

That would be adding just two resistors on each channel. I don't know the preamp you are using but it may mean just changing the value of two resistors already there. Use good quality resistors and you should be fine.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I did the very same thing to attenuate the gain on my CAT SL1 - the Placette must be very transparent as I could not easily discern its presence in the chain, but it did solve the problem of too much gain and too large of a jump between steps - I think it would work for you for the very reason you are thinking of. I expect Detredwings approach would work too, but I would not know how to do it, and would not given the really fine steps the Placette makes possible - it is worth a try.
rgs92 OP
974 posts
 
Thanks for the quick advice. I talked to the preamp designer and he said there is nothing he could do to the preamp internally that would not negatively affect the sound, and he suggested I try the attenuators (rothwells and goldenrods, which did not work out for me).

Thanks Pubul for the Placette advice, I may just pick up a used one to try it.
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drubin
3,275 posts
 
The Lightspeed Attenuator, discussed at length in other threads, is another possibility. Less money and apparently even more transparent. No remote, but you wouldn't need that anyway.
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