High gain on Croft Micro 25 Pre and Model 7 Power

[nnegi]

Hi Everyone

I have Croft Micro 25 pre and Model 7 powering a pair of Turnberry speakers, I find the gain on this pair exceptionally high. Basically I am able to use just 5-10% of the volume knob and at that point I am close to maximum level of loudness that I can listen at. The amps are in stock condition with factory tubes. Is there an easy way to address this without any major trade offs ? Other option is obviously to sell the amplifier but I really like this and it is now a hard to find entity, specially here in India.

The gain is high on both phono as well as line inputs.

Thanks

 

[Tozco]

If you want to stick with the factory tube compliment, the easy fix is to run inline 12db attenuators between the preamp and amp.
I do this on a Conrad Johnson set up I have and it works fine. Now I can use the volume control in a more predictable range.
I think the gain structure also gives me a slightly lower noise floor.

 

[nnegi]

Don't attenuators degrade sound (by not attenuating all frequencies equally ) ? I am open to changing tubes as that is easy and not a modification as such. Tubes are consumables.

 

[rothwellaudio]

Don't attenuators degrade sound (by not attenuating all frequencies equally ) ?

No, they don't.

Rothwell RCA In-Line Attenuators

Rothwell RCA In-Line Attenuators Supplied in Pairs Here's the solution to a problem from which far too many audiophiles suffer - too much gain in the system. The symptoms are easy enough to spot - the volume is plenty loud enough with the volume control set to the 9 o'clock position, too loud...

www.analogueseduction.net

Yes, accusing me of being biased might be a fair criticism.