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Thread: Too much gain

  1. #21
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: West London

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    I'm Steve.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Reed View Post
    As you are using the attenuators before the power, you might be successful with -15dB ones, though I'm quite convinced that the greater the attenuation the more impairment to dynamics; stands to reason (i.m.o.). My G/jacks (-6dB) were used between CDP and pre. at the pre. end, as it was only the CDP which had too much gain. Nicely made, G/jacks. Maybe the R.A. ones use silver wire for that price !
    Hi Mike,

    Yes they are plugged in the the power which seems to be the recommended spot and they really have improved the sound.

    I have been wondering whether greater attenuation might have a negative effect or not.

    At the moment I'm in the if it ain't broke camp
    Thorens TD550, Ortofon 12", Ortofon Jubilee or Koetsu Black; Rothwell MCL SUT, VTL 2.5 pre, XTC POW 1 power; Naim CD5x; KEF Reference 3.2's; Van den Hul interconnects and speaker cables.

  2. #22
    Join Date: Mar 2017

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    Quote Originally Posted by Slawts View Post

    At the moment I'm in the if it ain't broke camp
    I find that feeling wears off after about 72 hours replaced with 'how can I improve things?'

    By the way here is a snapshot of the old goldenjacks website. Interesting read.
    Current: [P20] Roon/Tidal > Custom PC> Chevron Paradox NDF16 > Phast Pre > Neuro. 686 > Tannoy Berkley (RFC tweaks)


  3. #23
    montesquieu Guest

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    I would be tempted to use attenuators to figure out the exact amount of attenuation I needed, and then have someone technical solder in a voltage divider (which is what the attenuators have, inside the plug), using really high quality resistors, hard wired to the input sockets of the power amp. You can always have them removed if you ever switch to a preamp with less (or no) gain.

  4. #24
    Join Date: Feb 2013

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    I'm Grant.

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    It's an odd thing, and technically shouldn't be but I've found external ones do kill dynamics a bit.
    I free with Tom find what you need and get it fitted into circuit.
    Regards,
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  5. #25
    Join Date: Apr 2012

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    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    It's an odd thing, and technically shouldn't be but I've found external ones do kill dynamics a bit.
    Me too.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  6. #26
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: West London

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    I'm Steve.

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    Quote Originally Posted by montesquieu View Post
    I would be tempted to use attenuators to figure out the exact amount of attenuation I needed, and then have someone technical solder in a voltage divider (which is what the attenuators have, inside the plug), using really high quality resistors, hard wired to the input sockets of the power amp. You can always have them removed if you ever switch to a preamp with less (or no) gain.
    I am surprised it is the power amp as I would have thought lowering the output from the pre more logical. Or is it the same principal as used for where you put the attenuators?

    It is a thought and maybe consider 15 or 20db.
    Thorens TD550, Ortofon 12", Ortofon Jubilee or Koetsu Black; Rothwell MCL SUT, VTL 2.5 pre, XTC POW 1 power; Naim CD5x; KEF Reference 3.2's; Van den Hul interconnects and speaker cables.

  7. #27
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: West London

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    I'm Steve.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Edward View Post
    I find that feeling wears off after about 72 hours replaced with 'how can I improve things?'

    By the way here is a snapshot of the old goldenjacks website. Interesting read.
    Fascinating site and you may be right
    Thorens TD550, Ortofon 12", Ortofon Jubilee or Koetsu Black; Rothwell MCL SUT, VTL 2.5 pre, XTC POW 1 power; Naim CD5x; KEF Reference 3.2's; Van den Hul interconnects and speaker cables.

  8. #28
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: belgrade serbia

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    I'm gordan.

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    Quote Originally Posted by montesquieu View Post
    I would be tempted to use attenuators to figure out the exact amount of attenuation I needed, and then have someone technical solder in a voltage divider (which is what the attenuators have, inside the plug), using really high quality resistors, hard wired to the input sockets of the power amp. You can always have them removed if you ever switch to a preamp with less (or no) gain.
    probably the best advice here, except for a definitive solution - sell the current pre, analyze your system to find what gain you need, buy an appropriate new pre.
    Gordan.
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  9. #29
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: West London

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    I'm Steve.

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    I thought i would just revive this as it is now a month since I had the Rothwell attenuators in.

    I have now forgotten about them but my albums and stereo are much happier.

    I have a quiet soundfloor and the detail is much much better.

    The only downside is I have put the Koetsu back in preference to the Ortofon Jubilee and it sounds spectacular.

    I am trying not to develop a love of high end cartridges and especially Koetsus (that way penury) but it is proving difficult.

    Be careful what you wish for.
    Thorens TD550, Ortofon 12", Ortofon Jubilee or Koetsu Black; Rothwell MCL SUT, VTL 2.5 pre, XTC POW 1 power; Naim CD5x; KEF Reference 3.2's; Van den Hul interconnects and speaker cables.

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