"Too much gain"? (Cary SLP05 question)

The Cary SLP-05 has a Schiit load of gain but so do a lot of other top tier preamps and it is not a bad thing.  

Easily adjustable by the two continuously variable gain controls on the front panel, one for each channel.  Also acts as a balance trim control too.  

Every preamp I have used benefited from some form of gain adjustment to fine tune the final gain through the amp, the Cary no exception.  

No attenuators required.  Easy to dial in without much effort.  

@immatthewj 

sorry if I misunderstood.  

the goal is the best sound possible for the preamp and amp system and let the volume control fall where it may.  

in my case I started with the gain controls at max level and listened.  the sound was to edgy, like a phono preamp with too much gain, even at moderate volume levels.  it sounded slightly coarse, like you did not want to turn it up at all even beginning with low to moderate volume.  

I then backed off the levels until the sound was smooth and lost the edginess- happened to be right about mid level.  

it isn't about where the volume control lands, the gain controls adjust for the best sound though the volume range.  

i started with them at the highest setting (1) so that I knew what too much gain sounded like and (2) backing off just enough to sweeten the sound and not too much to lose dynamics and drive.  

FYI with digital sources volume at 9:00 is just starting to be fun, with vinyl the volume likes to be at 10:00 to 11:00.  

adjust the gain for the best smoothest sound starting at the top level and the relative volume level will sort itself.  

LISTEN TO THE DAM PREAMP!

The balanced connections sound noticeably better (pre outs). The balanced circuitry passes through another set of tubes. Just do a quick AB comparison. That is all it took for me. The balanced soundstage is huge and more open with distinct separation between instruments, it is really something.

Using the RCA outs the sound stage is instantly collapsed and less exciting, very obvious.  

I choose balanced every time. Give it a try from your listening position.

The discussion on this topic is very puzzling.  The idea that people would buy attenuators or a gain reduction mod for their SLP 05 is something I see and hear no reason for.  

Buy a NOS rectifier and some 6SN7 tubes.  Use the balanced connections.  Optimize your interconnects.  Absolutely.  

Set the gain by listening to your highest output source with the gain knobs set at full.  According to an old Stereophile review this effectively eliminates their circuitry. But does it sound the best?  

Not for me.  Too much gain and the sound was edgy at low volume levels.  

Backing off the gain knobs gradually until it sounds best (listen carefully) and you are good to go.  It sounds amazing!  The sound will be better at the same net loudness levels.  It works!  

@immatthewj 

with the left / right gain controls each at 50 % (sounds best) 

the volume control is at 9:00 to 10:00 or so most often, moderate loud, for my higher output digital sources and 10:00 to 11:00 for my turntable.  

@shredder 

do you know how much gain your power amplifier has?  

@immathewj

I have learned your issue the hard way having bought a power amp with 26db gain for my Cary SLP-05 (Pass Labs XA30.8).  Even when the Cary's gain is backed off to half (going any lower affects dynamics) there is too much gain in the system. 

I tried the 10db rothwell attenuators and did not care for the results.  

I also tried using the RCA outputs which drops the Cary gain from 24 db to 17db.  This definitely helped but I lost a lot of the 3-D huge soundstage when not using the XLR outs on the Cary, the balanced outs run through another set of tubes and the sound stage is much larger and the sound is ore dynamic.  

Ultimately an amplifier with 23 to 20 db gain works best- or an amp with adjustable gain like Parasound a21+ or JC5 which I run at about half gain.  

@jaybe 

Having lived with the ins and outs of the SLP05 I am still enthralled with the sound quality of this preamp.  

The extra gain can be too much but there are two ways to satisfactorily work with it.  BTW the higher gain is a virtue as the resulting dynamics make for a superior sound stage and listening experience.   Also the rothwell 10db attenuators did not work for me either. 

The easiest way to deal with it is to use the single ended outputs which gives you 17db which is perfectly suitable for most amplifiers and just two db more than most preamps.  This is my current setup feeding my new gen McIntosh MC312 power amp and the sound is both dynamic and pristine. 

The second way is to use an amplifier with lower than usual gain and use the balanced outputs higher 24 db gain. I used it with the Pass Labs XA25 that has 20db gain with stunning results.  Also the Benchmark AHB2, many of the First Watt amps as well as Bryston models that have a two way gain switch one being 22 db.  

Its incredible what this preamp can do in stock form, even better with NOS tubes and rectfier.   Dont let the higher gain scare you away.  

@khloebo 

very nice description of the workings of the SLP 05.  

right now my system sounds so good with the stock SLP non modded or upgraded.   For anyone interested I do have 3 matched pairs of a specific variety of Sylvania 6SN7s running every slot except the headphone amp.  The rectifier is a NOS made by mullard GZ34.   fyi the RCA smoked glass did not work out and neither did several other NOS notables.  

the tubes and rectifier made such an upgrade I recommend them to anyone with or thinking of an SLP05

@jaybe 

The SLP-05 using balanced outs to the Bryston at 23db gain should work out well, no upgrade needed.  

I use the L-R pots at about 60% or so, just to trim a bit for L-R balance.  

@jaybe 

one more thing related to the SLP 05 gain settings- speaker efficiency.  with my 90db Spendor towers they sound best with the RCA lower output connections into my 29 db McIntosh amp.  

with my less sensitive Dynaudio towers they sound best with the full gain using the balanced connections.