cd player + preamp = too much gain


My cd player is 2vrms output, preamp is 30dB gain and I can barely listen at low volumes without it being too loud.

I have tried in-line attenuators to no avail (the sound deteriorated noticeably) and also replaced the 12AX7 and 12AX7 pairs with lower gain tubes...still no major improvements.

Are there any options left?
bleoberis
nifty machine, functions as a switch box too - have configured yours for non-variable outpout?
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hi Bob - yeah I really didn't like them. Still searching for another way...might just ditch the preamp and get the Lightspeed Passive ... seems a good option....
Just found these which could do the trick - any ideas as to the quality of parts;

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ALVA-Suzy-Passive-Line-Attenuator-p/9999-01459.htm

http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/2680892/vpcsid/0/SFV/30046
Hi Vaughan,

I would not recommend either of those devices.

The "Peripheral" is intended for car audio and sells for only $16, and appears to have nickel-plated connectors. Enough said!

The Alva is intended for use with pro equipment, and therefore may not have its resistor and potentiometer values chosen to be optimal with consumer equipment. Also the amount of hardware that it includes (lots of connectors, and several switches in addition to the volume control), in combination with its $100 price, would seem to suggest that quality may not be the greatest.

I would still suggest buying a pair of Rothwell's, and using them in conjunction with the Goldenjack's so that 10db is at the input to the preamp and 10db is at the input to the power amp. That avoids the necessity of additional interconnect cables that the other devices would require (which would very conceivably have significant sonic effects due to their interaction with the output impedances of the passive volume controls). And if the Rothwell's + Goldenjacks proves to be an unsatisfactory approach I would expect you to have no trouble selling them, considering how many other people seem to have similar problems these days.

Regards,
-- Al