Endler stepped attenuator w/Cary active preamp


I have an idea for fixing a little problem, but don't know if it makes any sense (I have no background in electronics).

I had been running a Modwright Transporter directly w/balanced outputs to a big SS power amp w/no active pre. W/o attenuation, the volume was too loud at even the lowest levels and I could hear some hiss during quiet sections in music. I solved both problems w/Endler stepped attenuators. They almost completely eliminated the hiss and yet seemed to be transparent.

I just upgraded my system by adding a Cary SLP-05 active preamp. Huge improvment in dynamics, detail, soundstage, image weight, etc. Dramatic improvement, actually.

One downside, I can hear a hiss during quiet passages. Not super bad, but loud enough to notice. I tried using the built in attenuators (input control) on the CAry. It helped but did not completely fix the problem.

Anyway, because the Endlers fixed the hiss problem before, I thought I would try using them in conjunction w/the active pre. I will just give it a try, but wanted to know if that made sense? What problems should I look out for? Is this a common set-up? Etc. Any input will be much apprefciated. Thanks.
128x128shredder

Showing 5 responses by shredder

Hmmmmmmm, could it be just a bad tube in the TP?

Any downside to the attenuator even if just a band-aid?
Oh, and the Endlers do not require another set of ics. It plugs into the ic on one end and into an input on the other.
Thanks. If the Endlers fixed the problem before (albeit w/o the pre), why don't you think it will work now (w/ the pre)?

I actually suspect the TP is the problem as the problem was present when used w/o either attenuators or a pre. If so, wouldn't I want the attenuation before the pre?

I really do ne3ed help with this.Thanks much.
OK. I have contacted Dan Wright at Modwright about this and he has always been very responsive.

One other factor-I am using brand new ics w/no break in (Anti-ICs to be exact). If the ics can be a factor, is it possible that the lack of break in is a factor?

Thanks.