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stepped attenuators

Stepped attenuators are new to me and I must say that I'm impressed. I recently acquired a new Burson PI-160 and it leaves the older unit (which I have) in the dust. Burson says that the signal is at its weakest when going through the volume control and tried and tossed out a remote in favor of the attenuator. I can see why. I have all the detail, dynamics, nuance, tone, sound stage, etc. at lower settings that I no longer have to crank it for things to get lively. Its like each setting is all that Burosn intended (hardwired, if you will) allowing all the signal to come through undistorted. I know there's more to this unit than the volume control but I feel it must have a huge influence on the sound quality.
How do you feel about them?
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nonoise OP
10,540 posts
 
Mine and all current models have had the increase in volume steps tamed down some so as to not come on so strong at lower settings with efficient speakers. My Toninan Labs TL-D1s (95db) can tolerate 5 settings without my neighbors complaining. I know this sounds like not much of a selection but once you've heard the purity of the sound, you quickly adjust to the settings.
It was a little weird at first but I'm never going back.
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