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Suggestions for adjustable gain CD player

I am looking for a relatively high quality CD player with adjustable gain, and I have been looking at the Wadia 302 player for one example. I do not need a unit with a volume control since I will be using it with a preamp. I currently have an Ayre CX7e player, which has an output level that is too hot for my system, otherwise I would keep it. I have tried Rothwell attenuators and did not like what they did for the sound quality. I am interested in players in the $2,000 to $3,000 price range, and do not need multi-format or DVD. Any further suggestions would be appreciated.
mitch2

Showing 1 response by gregm

gregm
3,411 posts
 
Your Ayre is a good product, as many have noted. Its preamp stage is good ASAI can tell.
So, my suggestion is, keep the Ayre for now and consider a ladder volume control (like a placette, above) or a transformer volume control (like Bent? I think).
Later you can bypass the Ayre's attenuation altogether. These "passive" control units also offer switching capability so you can accommodate other sources (phono, etc).
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