Hi Bifwynne: In general I find that such attenuator devices should be inserted between phono stage and line preamp rather than cartridge and phono stage.
Although my experience is that the sonics of low-voltage MC cartridges suffer far more from electrical contacts than MMs or MIs, I don't think that it is a good idea to send the Zephyr's signal through any more electrical contacts than are absolutely required, nor would I attenuate its signal into the phono stage (unless the phono stage clips).
You should experience less sonic degradation if the attenuator is inserted right in front of the line preamp, or right in front of the power amp (if it turns out that the line preamp isn't overloading). Keep the wiring from attenuator to preamp (or power amp) as short as possible.
You can make a fixed attenuator by soldering an RCA female jack to an RCA male plug by way of two resistors configured as an attenuating network (-3dB, -6dB or whatever you need). With a little more work with pliers, nippers and soldering iron, you can build a fixed attenuator right into the interconnect RCA plug (receiving end), which will save an extra electrical contact and sound better. I make frequent use of both devices for bypass testing.
Scott Endler produces ready-made attenuators which may also accomplish what you need. Note that I haven't used his products.
hth, jonathan carr
Although my experience is that the sonics of low-voltage MC cartridges suffer far more from electrical contacts than MMs or MIs, I don't think that it is a good idea to send the Zephyr's signal through any more electrical contacts than are absolutely required, nor would I attenuate its signal into the phono stage (unless the phono stage clips).
You should experience less sonic degradation if the attenuator is inserted right in front of the line preamp, or right in front of the power amp (if it turns out that the line preamp isn't overloading). Keep the wiring from attenuator to preamp (or power amp) as short as possible.
You can make a fixed attenuator by soldering an RCA female jack to an RCA male plug by way of two resistors configured as an attenuating network (-3dB, -6dB or whatever you need). With a little more work with pliers, nippers and soldering iron, you can build a fixed attenuator right into the interconnect RCA plug (receiving end), which will save an extra electrical contact and sound better. I make frequent use of both devices for bypass testing.
Scott Endler produces ready-made attenuators which may also accomplish what you need. Note that I haven't used his products.
hth, jonathan carr