Bottlehead Forum: Re: Need to attenuate the Foreplay by Paul Joppa

Are you interested in DIY interconnects? You can build an attenuator into the interconnect, at the amplifier end. Or you can build it into the Paramour, at the input RCA jack.

Or you could change the 12AT7 for a 12AU7 in the Paramour, reducing its sensitivity. Just change the 499 ohm cathode resistor to a 2000 ohm resistor.

Or if you want to get really wacko (change the tube socket), try a 76 (2500 ohms) or a 955 acorn tube (1200 ohms) or a 37 (3750 ohms). If you can find some old ceramic donut sockets, the acorn tube will fit the chassis hole; the others need a larger hole.

Input sensitivity:

  
 12AT7:  0.70v  0dB (by definition) 
 12AU7:  2.50v  -11dB 
 76:     3.00v  -13dB 
 955:    1.68v   -8dB 
 37:     4.60v  -16dB

Figure 3dB per click of the Sweet Whispers, to estimate haw much reduction you need.