Hi Chris,

Thanks for that, much appreciated. I think this part kind of suns up what you're saying, especially the emboldened text, in reference to what I was describing earlier:

Quote Originally Posted by Light Dependant Resistor View Post
Rather I have solved all need of resistors, with semiconductors. Most of the semiconductors used therefore are very close internally to exactly half the potentiometer resistance value, so the potentiometer used for attenuation is just seen as yet another semiconductor resistance value and in effect semi disappears as a device. The potentiometer is placed between the series cathodes volume UP, and shunt cathodes volume down. When measured we find some really good impedance characteristics for matching to source components and to power amps. Typically 1k3 on the shunt pair at half volume and 2k to the series pair. If we compare this to a stepped attenuator or a potentiometer passive it is losing badly in terms of connecting the source component and power amp, as it has much higher resistance in order to function. LDR's therefore connect not only all your grounding paths with grip, but also connect to the source component and power amp in near perfect relationship.
Do you think that the higher resistance you've outlined, together with the lack of "grounding paths with grip", explain why with the passives I've used to date in my system (despite it on paper being 'ideal' for incorporating such a device), music reproduced sounds 'subdued' and lacks 'life' [best way I can describe it] compared with when done by a good active preamp or LDR?

For me, what you say makes sense and confirms my listening experiences in that respect. I'm convinced that a) I'm not imagining the effect, and therefore it's real, and b) that it isn't due to the artifice of an active preamp (in this case my Croft) making the sound appear as superficially 'more exciting', and therefore creating a false effect.

To my ears, it's definitely the other way round, and in fact the passive device robbing the sound, and subsequently the music, of elements that should *actually* exist!

Marco.