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Choosing attenuator resistances 10K/100K/250K

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I'm upgrading an Alps pot to an attenuator. The Alps is rated at 100k. However while I usually only use 1/2 - 3/4 of the pot occasionally I will use 100% and need more head room.
My amp is tubed and my CD source is SS. I know that I can go to a 10K attenuator also. However will going to a 10K give me a reduction in head room or an increase?
For some reason I'm under the impression that I would need to go to a 250K attenuator to get more head room.
Any input is appreciated.

Follow Ups:

Re: Choosing attenuator resistances 10K/100K/250K Jon Risch 15:59:17 12/10/99 (1)
A 10 k ohm attenuator will actually provide better dynamics, as any tendency toward softening or HF roll-off will be reduced. Therte should be no penalty in terms of loading the CD player.
Jon Risch
- Interesting... Bryan F. 16:07:22 12/10/99 (0)
  .....as you are the second person to tell me this today. I was told by someone else that:
  > > > No difference on headroom as far as I can see, regardless of the value of the pot. However, the higher values will roll off just a smidge of treble < < <
  Thanks for the advice!
Re: Choosing attenuator resistances 10K/100K/250K Hans 14:10:56 12/10/99 (1)
When at 100% there is no attenuation, wether 10k or 250kohms. The attenuator's impedance should match the circuit following it, and at the same time not load the source. 100k would be the safest since that's the original value, though either should work fine.
You need more gain if you want to play louder, a different attenuator will not make the preamp play louder.
Attenuators sure sound better than pots though, it a good upgrade.
- Re: Choosing attenuator resistances 10K/100K/250K Bryan F. 16:02:22 12/10/99 (0)
  I only asked about more head room as I was reading an article where the peron claimed that using a 250K attenuator yielded more head room. I have three recordings that require full attenuation to reach half the level it takes on every other recording. So I figured since I was replacing the pot anyway that I'd see if this was true.
  It seems that I need to decide between 10K and 100K. As since my source is ss 10K should work fine.
  Thanks for the input!

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