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Lowering Gain on Aikido Preamp

Posted by SRMcGee (A) on March 16, 2007 at 05:41:55

Folks:

I recently finished building my Aikido preamp, using Bas Horneman's PCBs. That project turned out very well -- a two chassis preamp with remote control. The sound, though, is the most amazing thing: a crisp, refined soundstage, terrific resolution, airy and yet just a tinge of tube warmth. Lovely. At some point I'll post a more public appreciation for all of the people who helped me along the way, but I want to spend more time listening to the Aikido first.

There is, though, one issue that I still need some help with: I'm using a Mikkel Simonsen (Dantimax) remote control system that provides 63 dB worth of attenuation, but music is still audible at the attenuator's lowest setting. I'm using a complement of 6N1P / 6H30N-EP tubes in the Aikido boards, and I'd like to lower the volume by another 6 or 12 dB. My question is, am I better off swapping out a tube for something with lower gain or inserting a resistor (or a T-pad) in-line at the preamp's input or output? Cost is not a concern -- not adversely affecting the quality of the sound is. Bas hesitently suggested a lower gain tube such as the 6CG7 in lieu of the 6N1P, but admitted that he wasn't sure and recommended that I pose this question on AA. So here we are.

Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Scott

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