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if you look on ebay for seller "KYC111" from taiwan, you'll find that he sells ridiculously cheap ladder attenuators. $50 for a mono pair is a bargain by all accounts.

the units seem well built; soldering work is nicely done, and the switch is make before break, so no annoying pops. not the stoutest switch, but it will do. also, do note that the shaft on the attenuators to connect you control knob to is quite short, so take care. in that vein, the overall dimensions are quite small, so no troubles fitting it in tight spaces. measurements show 1% matching between the mono units, but at full attenuation one of them has marginal output from my speakers--go figure.

onto the sound: no question this unit is a marked improvement against the volume pots i replaced (nobles). imaging, bass(!), dynamics, detail and noise-floor are all markedly improved.

tonality is another matter: i find that all components have a character. so does this part: its on the warmish side (i recall reading that such is the character of the dale resistors used, so it makes sense). while this is likely a god-send for SS-electronics, it may be too much warmth in a tube unit (which is where i placed it). while its still an upgrade over where i started, its not the end result i wanted. its not euphonic or mushy or anything like that...its just more a sense that music has lost its natural aggression (which SS gear overaccentuates IMO). so, component matching is important if you want the proper balance.

put it this way: i'd not hesitate for one minute to upgrade a SS preamp with these things, but there is no way i'd use this part as a passive attenuator in my SET amp. it'd be too much glow.

for the cost, its a screaming bargain. in the right component (read: solid state, bright, aggressive preamps or amps), its a wonderful upgrade. but misapplication of this part to a soft-ish tube component will likely send you too far into the warm camp.

rhyno

Product Weakness:	as above
Product Strengths:	as above

• I'll second - same positive experiance and... - mrfixit 12:04:47 12/13/04 (0)
  In Reply to: REVIEW: KYC111 Ladder Attenuator Passive Components posted by rhyno on December 7, 2004 at 15:11:05:

  ...my first set got lost somewhere between H.K. and the U.S.; he took care of it.
  
  

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• KYC111 Ladder Attenuator Passive Components - badman 17:53:20 12/07/04 (0)
  In Reply to: REVIEW: KYC111 Ladder Attenuator Passive Components posted by rhyno on December 7, 2004 at 15:11:05:

  I've used these for some time now- excellent product and helluva bargain.
  
  

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