Reducing the output of a passive pre-amp

[bumpy]

Hi

I have a simple Axiom Signature passive and the output is far too high for my needs. So I would like to reduce it by say 15db. You will see from my questions that, although I can wield a soldering iron, I am no electronics expert :)

Can I achieve this by:

1. Replacing the existing 1.2K resistors with higher values - if so what?

2. Putting additional resistors elsewhere in the unit. If so where and what values?

Thanks in advance

[lilolee]

What's the value of the pot?

[bumpy]

What's the value of the pot?

Its a Noble 10Kohm pot. At the moment I can get reasonable volume with the pot fully turned off and a movement of maybe 1mm is good listening level and 2mm just too loud. I am running an experiment of a 1000wpc amp into 100db sensitive speakers (dont ask!). Sounding pretty good but need more volume adjustment to be sure.

[lilolee]

Either 27k or 33k will give you about 15dB.

[bumpy]

Either 27k or 33k will give you about 15dB.

Excellent. If its not giving you a leading question, where do I stick them. I'm guessing in the left and right wires that join the input phonos with the volume control. Or is it in place of the Caddock resistors?

[bumpy]

So where do I stick them. I'm guessing in the left and right wires that join the input phonos with the volume control. Or is it in place of the Caddock resistors?

Itching to order a couple of suitable resistors, so can anybody answer this question?

[Pharos]

Painting the hall through the letterbox anyone?

[Firebottle]

Itching to order a couple of suitable resistors, so can anybody answer this question?

Yes between input and volume pot.

[bumpy]

Thanks Alan
Can I just ask is a 33K resistor what they call 3.3R?

[struth]

3.3r is 3.3 ohms.. you need 33kohm...or am i getting old :eyebrows:

you want 3 orange bands..

[bumpy]

3.3r is 3.3 ohms.. you need 33kohm...or am i getting old :eyebrows:

you want 3 orange bands..

Thanks Grant, I'm a danger to myself really. I'm red/green colour blind which is why I never took to electronics. Three orange bands I can cope with :yay:

[Pharos]

3.3r is 3.3 ohms.. you need 33kohm...or am i getting old :eyebrows:

you want 3 orange bands..

We're all getting old :), 3.3 ohms can be written as 3r3, and 3.3k can be written 3k3.

[Qwin]

Your Passive pre is applying no amplification at all to the signal, it only attenuates.
No one seems to have asked what your source is, to be such a miss match for your power amp. it sounds like a very hot digital source.
What is it and what's it's output?
Is it a DAC with a digital volume control that can be turned down?
What is the input sensitivity of your power amp?
Adding resistance to your Passive Pre, might be the solution, but alternatives, or even defining what the actual problem is, has not been given proper consideration.