2. misc-audio
  3. 1040043143

Gain and Rothwell attenuators

I have a Rega planet 2000, Cary slp-50a, and linn LK-85 amp. When I first got the cary I couldn't turn the volume up past the 8 o'clock position! That was about as loud as I could stand. I put in some Rothwell attenuators (-10db) and now I'm at about 10 o'clock with the same result. Problem is is that the Rothwell attenuators dramatically alter the sound. Right now they are between the cd player and pre-amp. I tried them between the pre and power amp and the music sounded strangled. When I take them off completely things open up but seem uneven and I start getting different L/R signal strength through the speakers at lower volumes, with some cds becoming unplayable because of this. I haven't seen much written about attenuation or any other way to solve this problem. Are there other, more neutral ways to achieve this or has anyone come across another posting on this issue? Thanks and happy holidays.
stuartbranson
wywhcan
39 posts
 
I'm not sure putting the attenuator between the CDP and pre will make much of a difference in terms of overall gain for an active pre. Also, when placed between the pre and power amp, you need to plug the male end of the attenuator to the power amp in order to get maximum voltage (i.e. gain) drop. If plugged the other way around, you'll see very little drop.

As for sound quality of the Rothwell, I'm not surprised that you found the sound altered. I used a 12db attenuator from PartsExpress and found that it reduced the noise level which is a good thing. But, it also took a lot of air out and the overall sound approaches that of SS type.
fefer77
37 posts
 
I have the same problem. I eventually switched to a Njoe Tjoeb cdp. Add a couple solder joints and you can change the output voltage down from ~2.5 volts to ~1.25 or~0.7 volts. Worked well. You could also find a cdp with an analog volume control like the new Cary 308T and just turn it down a bit.

I experimented with a couple passive attenuators and I just didn't like their sound. Good luck. Let us know what Cary says about modifying the gain on your preamp.

Loren.
cjr888
34 posts
 
How long have you had the Rothwell's in the system in playing time? They take some time to break in.
stuartbranson OP
183 posts
 
I've had the Rothwell's in for about 2 months and I listen to alot of music so I'm guessing they are burned in. They aren't horrible in their present position between cdp and pre and even do some good, sonically that is, but I do find they slightly "shroud the music in a light mist". Between the pre and pwr amps is another story. yuk. Still waiting to hear from Cary.
wywhcan
39 posts
 
Stuartbranson,

I retract my earlier assumption that the attenuator won't do much when placed between the CDP and pre. I was under the impression that there might be some AGC circuit preceding the PRE input stage (I suppose it is not necessary with 2V output of a CDP). So, I took out my attenuators (12db or .25Vin) and placed them after the CDP. Yes, there is a big drop in volume. And it does sound better than putting them after the pre. But, what happened to the Bass!! And all the low level details!! Looks like with a 0.5V CDP output now, a lot of low amplitude info is getting buried.

In any case, I prefer not to use the attenuators. I'm stuck between 7 & 8 o'clock just like you. I'm just glad I have dual volume control.
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