Ld1955

A good question. I have a Marantz SA-8260 and I don't think it has variable outputs but I will check the owners manual. Still, I have not tried a different CD player. That is worth a shot.

Its working out well. The advantage of the Axiom is that they customize it to your setup. They ask for the efficiency of your speakers in db at 1w/1m, the input impedance of your power amp, the input sensitivity of your power amp in mV and the output voltage of your cd player: I have ordered one for myself at $162.00, as a stopgap, but I will probably look elsewhere for a permanent solution.

The LS7 owners manual saysthat there may be too much gain with some sources, if so call. I did. The tech said the solution was to add 4 100k resistors, 2 on each channel and they could mail me the resistors and a diagram. It is not something that was omitted. I know it is not something I want to tackle and i do not have a repair shop I trust nearby. I don't want to send the preamp to ARC and really not be certain of the results. I did have a friend lend me a Luminious Audio Axiom passive preamp. All it is a volume control with one set of inputs and outputs, no switching. It totally solves the problem! The D70 really is a definite improvement! Any other suggestions for a passive preamp? I have read about the Lightspeed attenuator and the Creek OBH11 from Stereophile (Sam Tellig).

I checked the LS7 but there is no such switch. I called ARC and there is a fix but it requires adding four resistors to the circuit board. I think I am going to go the passive attenuator route since I only have a Marantz SACD player as a source for my 2 Ch system. Again thanks for all your thoughts.

Thanks for the help. I will follow up with ARC and maybe check out the attenuators. I have had the preamp since 2000, but I bought it used. It could have been modified I suppose, but I will check.

After many years I finally assembed the system I always wanted. Khorns, a LS7 preamp and I just hooked up a D70 MkII I got on Agon. As soon as I power up, I have way too much gain. I just barely touch the volume control, set on 0, and hear it through the speakers. I know the horns are efficient but I did not expect this. The LS7 manual says that there may be problems with certain speakers. Yeah right. I obviously need a different preamp. I have searched the forum for recommendations, but I would like to stick with a vintage ARC. Maybe someone can help. What's the issue here? What specs should I be looking at? Gain? Output Impedance? Rated Output? Puzzled