In-Line Attenuators

I wouldn't use them between pre and power amp, but you can use them on a source and if you're careful then losses can be minimised. You just need an interconnect with appropriate resistors fitted.  The quality of the resistors may well have a bearing on the end result, but I'm no expert here. Have a word with your dealer.

The thing is, my source is not the issue, my pre-amp is. So using it at the source will not correct my biggest peave (hiss). This is why I need it between pre & power. 

I don't think an attenuator will help there.  Indeed, you would ideally lower the gain the pre-amp, but as that's way outside the AUP of this forum and also will have an affect on overall performance, we'd better stop right here.  In short, the hiss from a Naim pre/power comes with the territory.  If that's a deal breaker for you, well... I'd be talking to my dealer if I were you.

Nah, it is definitely not a deal breaker, I am still hooked on the naim sound like a drug lol ... If I have to have the hiss, then so be it. It is not horrible, I was just wondering if there was an easy way to kill it without affecting the overall SQ too much. 

Alternatively L-pad attenuators between power amp and speakers. 

With my system I can only hear hiss - and then only just - with my ear next to the tweeter. But my power amp isnt Naim, and I don't use a preamp.

I tried some RA attenuators on the end of RCAs from cd to amp. Hated it. A lot of detail was lost, which is what you'd expect when you add resistance. Ok I had a bit more usable range on the volume knob and it did reduce the hiss, but at a huge cost to sound. I gave them a couple of weeks but couldn't live with it. 

Finkfan posted:

I tried some RA attenuators on the end of RCAs from cd to amp. Hated it. A lot of detail was lost, which is what you'd expect when you add resistance. Ok I had a bit more usable range on the volume knob and it did reduce the hiss, but at a huge cost to sound. I gave them a couple of weeks but couldn't live with it. 

Agree with Finkfan, from my experience it sounded as if I was listening to the music with cotton wool in my ears....not good...

Yeah. They definetly deleted information. Not nice to listen to 

I tried with an attenuated cable from a little english company between the NDX and the NAC 252: The sound changed and it was like loosing life and detail.

This doesn't mean that attenuated cables from other companies won't work but I wanted to share my experience. 

I can't comment on whether L-pad attenuators between power amp and speakers would have any effect on SQ as I haven't tried, but it may be less likely to have an effect at that stage in the signal path, and if you have low impedence speakers potentially could be beneficial depending on the amp.

Thanks for all the input, I definitely don't want to try anything that is going to cause a noticeable loss in detail.