Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => BeePre => BeeQuiet attenuator => Topic started by: oltmb on April 17, 2017, 09:26:59 PM

Title: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: oltmb on April 17, 2017, 09:26:59 PM

I have the Beepre/BeeQuiet connected to a NAIM NAP100 poweramp. It has 18K input impedance and 29dB gain. I have added a 10dB attenuator between the pre and power amp but with the BeeQuiet in max attenuation I still have sound coming out of the speakers (around 60dB SPL).

Is my input signal too high? I am just using a regular DAC (Chord 2Qute) and using the RCA inputs.

What can I do to make it completely mute in the lowest position (-52.5 dB) ?

Title: Re: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: Zimmer64 on April 18, 2017, 01:28:44 AM

Hi,

I don't have a BeePre, but if you've done the wiring correctly,then this should not be the case. I suggest to check your wiring again. You may also want to post a picture of your wiring here.

Kind regards


Michael

Title: Re: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: oltmb on April 18, 2017, 09:58:54 AM

Ok. Will check it and post a picture later if needed. I replaced the tubes to JJ's and that made a difference also. 

Title: Re: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: oltmb on April 18, 2017, 09:32:19 PM

I checked all the wiring and it looks ok. Here is a picture:

(https://image.ibb.co/jW5BJ5/Be_Quiet_oltmb.gif)

Title: Re: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: Doc B. on April 19, 2017, 04:23:45 AM

The lowest level position does not mute, it attenuates -52.5 dB. The way that the attenuator is wired precludes the inclusion of a mute (i.e. signal shorted to ground) setting. If you are finding that the entire range of the volume control is too high, you are on the right track of either lowering the output level of your source or using a larger value attenuator between the BeePre and the amp.

If the listening level range is OK and you just want a mute you can always switch the source selector to a source setting that is not playing. That's what I do in our listening room.

Title: Re: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: Paul Birkeland on April 20, 2017, 06:12:19 AM

It may also be helpful to know what speakers the Naim is driving.

If you have an amp with 26dB of gain hooked up to a pair of 100+dB sensitive horn speakers, this kind of problem is bound to arise if you believe that the lowest level setting is well beyond what would be considered a very low listening level.

Title: Re: Max attenuation not enough?
Post by: oltmb on April 20, 2017, 07:27:37 AM

The speakers are Focal Aria 906. Sensitivity: 86.8 dB. So that is not too sensitive I think.

I am happy as it is now. I can mute by rotating the input selector switch to an unused input channel.