I will try that, but I think I'll preform the upgrade anyway. First, the pot is noisy when I turn it, and second, I have spare parts just sitting here. The spare I'm likely to use is an Audio Note, which is the right size and value (100k). I also have a Kozmo that didn't get used in another project, but that is likely a bit too much of an attenuator for this project (that is, cost to application). Goldpoint would be my first choice, but that is yet more expensive. I've got other random parts sitting around from old projects (caps - after the volume pot my most likely upgrade, Cree diodes - this one's a bit in the air, headphone jack - not likely do to this one since the one with the kit seem to be fairly high quality) that I may or may not implement at some point just to try it.
How does the resistor addition you're recommending work? is it pre-attenuation or something else?
Thanks,