Here is some info on the Ultimate attenuators that will allow you to build your own separate attenuator or ones for building into an amp or preamp.

The Ultimate Attenuator has a fixed resistor in series with the signal and switchable variable resistance to ground

Here is the basic schematic:

For a 10K series system you would multiply all values by 10. We recommend a 1K system (values on schematic) unless you have a tube based or other higher impedance source (above 1K output impedance). If you need an attenuation rate different from what is shown then just interpolate for the different value: for instance, if you wanted one db per step you would just use a resistor value that was exactly half way between the values shown for 2 db steps and you would have approximately one db steps.

The series resistor that I used was a Vishay 102C/K: $11.50@

Two resistors needed, one for each channel.

 

The resistors to ground are Roderstein Resistas: $.25@

You will need 46 Resistas, 23 on each channel.

 

The switch is the Elma BV22561 for mono use: $32.50@

or the BV22568 for stereo use (both channels on one switch): $57.00

 

Knobs for the above switch are $3.50 @

 

The male RCA used in the Ultimate Attenuator is the SoundConnections (Vampire) 800C: $27.95 per pair.

 

The female RCA used are the SoundConnections (Vampire) CM2F/OFC: $24.00 per pair.

 

Total cost for a pair of mono attenuators would be about $158.45 plus shipping, solder and wire.

 

All parts are available from Michael Percy: 530-470-8650, fax:530-470-8651, email:michael@percyaudio.com.

website: http://www.percyaudio.com.

 

Of course, building them is not easy. In fact, I could never find an employee who could consistantly build them well enough for me to sell. However, if you really don't care if they look a little amatuerish, you might be able to do it. I will have detailed instructions on their assembly later.