Metal or Carbon Resistors - Which is better?

@larryi @sns 

You’re both spot on and get my dilemma. No matter what I choose, it’s going to be a bit of tradeoff, resolution and precision vs. romance and presence. 

Sometimes the right choice isn’t about specs, it’s about what makes the music feel right. 

“For some passive linestages, the resistors are almost the whole game—they have a few switches/selector, and attenuation means a stepped attenuator or relay switching of different combination of resistors.  The right choice is important.”

+1, @larryi 
Exactly. I am trying to see if I can keep the signal (from TT) with minimal coloration. This is my 2nd attempt to access and possibly keep a 300B amps in my system. First attempt was a complete disappointment disaster (please don’t ask about the amp manufacturer). The plan is to audition few well designed 300B amps before settling on the ‘one’ that highlights the true virtues of 300B valve known for! 

The passive pre under consideration is a simple circuit, zero flash, all substance. How good it sounds, only time will tell.  

Here’s what I know about passive pre design, a passive volume and balance control using a 23-step rotary attenuator. The signal path passes through only two fixed resistors at any volume setting, minimizing degradation. Gold-point, double-contact rotary switches (the kind used in industrial test gear) are used for both volume and the 3-position input selector. 
 

@grannyring  - PM sent!