2. amps-preamps
  3. 1196303442

Passive attenuators--why at amp end, not source?

Everything I've read about passive attenuators, such as EVS and Endler, say to put them at the input of the power amp and not at the output of the source (dac, cd player). Why does it make a difference? I have some on order and my dac is much more conveniently located than my amp,plus Im not sure there is room for the two at the inputs of the amp. Isn't resistance resistance? Any thoughts that would clear this up for me would be appreciated.
tarsando

Showing 1 response by ngjockey

ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Passive devices typically, but not always, have a low input impedance and high output impedance compared to active devices.

Any high output impedance has more difficulty driving long interconnects so the shortest distance between that and the load is preferred.

Why an attenuator is suggested at the amp is more complex than I'm willing to type, other than to say swimming downstream is easier than upstream.
More to discover