Cheapest volume control

Thats what I was thinking. I tried getting the Goldpoint here on Audiogon 2 days ago but I offered $130 and he wouldn't take it.

Maybe I should try to swing a goldpoint or something a bit better than the sys is what I'm hearing. It will be awhile till I can get another lightspeed.

What about that luminous passive? Any others besides the goldpoint, that are really inexpensive and worthy? I was even looking at that bottlehead quickie...

In my view and as near as I can tell, the Axiom looks fairly interesting. This one is new to me and I'm not sure exactly how he gets the Alps pot out of the signal path, but, if that approach is sound, then I believe I might be considering that thing myself, were I in your situ...just could be the way to go, here. Maybe somebody has tried it. Not as sure about the Bottlehead, it could be ok too, but I dunno.

Update: Oh, ok, I see now where I misread the website text. The pot simply shunts the signal to ground. That may work, but the pot would likely still exert some influence on the sound quality...hence the stepped version for $500. In that sense it may not be the best value...unless somebody has tried it out.

Chase RCL-1. Often on eBay for about $100. This is a line control with a remote. I have three of these, all work perfectly. Some are available in a 12 volt version, and having a choice, that is the one to go for. How could something be so good and so inexpensive? One of the mystery's of life. Enjoy.

Just so you know, whatever attenuates volume in your system is extremely important. This is one area that you don't want to cut corners with.

That said, the Lightspeed and it's variants are some of the best passive attenuators you can buy. Even better than high dollar active preamps. I own an LDR using the Tortuga board and it is excellent.

Shakey

Try Roger Modjeski's pot in a box. Uses a high quality Noble pot in a very simple box.