I use a Bolder Modified smART DI/O, fed into a Sugden Headmaster and then to CI Audio VMB-1's. My speakers are Von Schweikert VR-1s. The speakers have 89 or 90db efficiency (depending on which source you look at), the CIA monoblocks have atleast 30db gain. I'm not sure about the gain in the Sugden preamp. And the smART DI/O started life outputting 7v, but Wayne reduced that, although I'm not sure how far. The result was that I couldn't turn the volume beyond about 8 without hurting my neighbors' ears.
Enter the Rothwell attenuators, which take out about 10db. These are available from Rothwell directly, and also from an outlet in Canada (I wish I could remember who). In either case, the price is around US$60. Rothwell might pay for shipping.
I use mine between preamp and amp. To be honest, the additional control of the volume has been so beneficial that I've not bothered to do any serious comparisons between the sound with or without the attenuators. But my general feeling is that they provide a sonic trade-off: as expected there is a small loss in dynamics, but there is also a small reduction in noise. Most of my listening is at low levels, so I really appreciate the additional control over volume. I also appreciate the lower noise level at the low volume. When I turn it up, though, I don't think my foot taps quite as much now the attenuators in place - but it's a minor effect.
Chad
