We're always interested in reading new success stories sent to us by our customers. If you have one, please e-mail or snail-mail it to us along with your permission to publish it on this web page.
-DIY Vacuum Tube Preamp - [April., 2008]
 
...I finally quit listening to my new preamp and got a picture of your attenuator in circuit. Thanks again - it sure sounds great. T. B.  (Greeneville, Tennesee)
-DIY Project - [March., 2008]
Attention Goldpoint, recently I purchased a Spiced mini line preamp for DIY I was very impressed by its simplistic design and knew this cute little preamp need the Goldpoint touch, I installed the 50K stereo Mini-V in place of the old pot, what an increidible difference, I cant wait for my next project.   D.H.
-Pro Audio Compressor / LImiter - [Feb., 2008]

"Weighing in at 44 pounds, the Tube Equipment Corporation Model SR-71 “Blackbird” is a Dynamic Mu® stereo compressor / limiter using the original Fairchild 670 design with modern components. It has the compression character of a Fairchild 670 with greater transparency owing to Sowter nickel-core transformers. It also employs a wider range of time constants including faster release times for modern percussive material. The stepped mastering version employs Goldpoint™ Precision Attenuators."    Tube Equipment Corporation  (Miami, Florida)
-Custom Installation - [July, 2007]
"These pots are easy to install, have a good feel in use and bring an easy focus of both channels still allowing minute adjustment side to side."
Thomas M.  (Santa Barbara, California)
-Replacement Attenuator - [March, 2007]
"I just replaced my attenuators. It was easy, and the soldering spots on the new ones are easier to work with than those on the old ones. They are dead silent.  Thanks for your help." 
Mark     (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
-Custom Preamp With New SMD Mini-V - [January, 2007]
"I've completed my preamp with the Goldpoint attenuator and input selector...
Here are the highlights of the design:
- Battery powered (2 x 12V 1.2Ah gel = +/- 12VDC)
- Significant rail capacitance for very low supply impedance
   at all frequencies
- LM4562 op-amp on custom designed PCBExpress board
- 15dB gain, non-inverting
- 1Hz to 200KHz -1dB
- Teflon signal wires
- Blue LED shuts off @ +/- 11VDC to indicate charge needed
- Run-time = approx. 40 hours before rechargeing is required
- Total project cost = $375
Noise and distortion is extremely low... It sounds fantastic. That is to say, it basically does not alter the sound and seems to be noise-free..."   Paul P.    (Rocklin, California}
-Custom Vacuum Tube Preamp - [December, 2006]
"Thank you for all your help and a fine product, the grounded grid pre with the Goldpoint step attenuator sounds wonderful having nice dynamics and strong  bass." 

Peter C.    (Redford, Michigan)
-New SMD Mini-V - [July, 2006]
"Got the unit in yesterday and dropped it into the power amp...first listening impressions: Wow!  Talk about detail and clarity!  I noticed it big time right away, No hum or noise, and perfect tracking.  All of a sudden my little EL34 triode-wired amp fed by my old restored Fisher R200 fm tuner has highs!  EL34 is not exactly known for ultra 'high high' freq extension. The Goldpoint has extended the top end of my amp to a level I never knew possible; easily an extra 2-3k.  I even had to reposition my speakers to adjust.  There is no glare or 'edge'ness in the top end, just a 'smooth sounding extra extension, but certainly more high end than I've been used to. I'm sure it will sound even better after it 'settles in' over the next 100 hrs. of listening too.
The level of detail, very good before, is now just fantastic, and even at very low listening levels.  I think that the taper is about perfect.  At the fully attenuated position there is absolutely no signal whatsoever. At the first step the signal appears, very low but noticable, and usable, and increases accordingly and perfectly in both channels all the way up... I'm impressed as hell.lol! 
I'm  now having to think about upgrading my bookshelf speakers, which I never much thought about before.  Amazing that an attenuater could radically change your system so much!  I suppose this speaks as much about the system too, as I certainly can hear about any change I put into it, that is, if there is supposed to be a change, heh.  Well, I'm very proud of my little system now; and the Goldpoint is certainly the final crown!

...Amazing what I'm hearing now, after listening to this amp in many, many different setups over the last 7 yrs.

Well, the Goldpoint is the best upgrade that's happened to it, since I first put in some 1958 Mullard xf1 power tubes, and that's saying a lot!  ...This thing was certainly worth every penny!     Ralph Harris (Bakersfield, California)
-Mini-V Approval - [March, 2004]
"Just few words to tell you what you already know: Your Mini-V works perfectly, much better stereo image & very stable. Congratulation, no doubt this is a great upgrade.  Philippe VAIDIE, (senior sound mixer at France 3, National French TV)
-24 Positions Are Indeed Enough - [November, 2003]
Before ordering I was initially concerning about the number of steps in the attenuator not providing fine enough adjustment. After it arrived on Thursday last week and quickly installed into my Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid it proved unfounded with just the right number of 'clicks'. First listening tests immediately showed correction of channel balance at low levels (the main reason for investigating upgrades to the original cheap plastic pot). Having the attenuator significantly change the sound however was a real surprise! The sound was immediately more detailed but with a slight over brightness. After letting the system settle in over the next few days however the Mini-V has now found its way with the music (particularly with chamber classical, small ensemble jazz works and vocal pieces) and shows a level of detail, clarity and overall tonal balance previously unheard through the already excellent Grounded Grid. Thanks again for your assistance!     A. B.   (Adelaide, South Australia)
-SA-3 KIT Praise - [March, 2003]
"The SA-3 has been operational since Monday March 24/03.  The kit went together quickly with the well-documented instructions.  It had a hard act to follow for the passive I own is no slouch.  It does everything with more fine detail than my older unit. Depth?  You bet!  Dynamics?  Absolutely!  Most of all it has great transparency.  It is an outstanding product at a very reasonable price."    R. F.  (Winnipeg, Canada)
-Mini-H Compared to Alps Blue Pot - [January, 2003]
"I received the shunt type stepped attuator on Friday. The instructions were very clear and the quality of the parts were very high. It took me about 2.5 hours to put the kit together; however, it took about another 3 hours to install it because I had to make new holes in the amp's metal cabinet, without using a drill! However, in the end it worked beautifully. I wish I had thrown out my Alps Blue volume control earlier and bought this one. I now hear vast sonic improvements all across the spectrum. The bass is deeper and better defined, the mid's and the highs are smoother and better defined as well. Spacial clues and imaging have also greatly improved. Tonal textures are more accurate, and there are details jumping from my records that I never heard before. Overall, the new attenautor is absolutely great. Now my HD83 headphone amp is really singing. I hope you sell many more of your stepped attenuators.." 
Best regards,  D. W.  (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
-Custom Quad Goldpoint Attenuator in McIntosh C20 - [August, 2002]
Your attenuator has solved all volume and balance related problems. It has made an already great sounding preamp sound better than ever! ...the crowning glory to the restoration/upgrading of my McIntosh C20 preamp..."  Sincerely, Dave B.  (Nacogdoches, Texas)

C20 - Before

C20 - After
-Goldpoint Ladder Attenuator Application - [August, 2002]
"The attenuators arrived this morning and i have fitted a pair to my own pre-amp, this has had many other potentiometers tried in it and i can only say that were i am now is were i would wish to have been a long time ago! All others altered the bass or treble in an unnatural way, violins were more "hi-fi" now much more natural, low level detail now so much more part of the music as a whole with older (1960's) recordings showing previously unheard detail. My cd player also sounds like much more money has been spent on it. (i am a turntable nut but also own a cd player) . Perhaps the conventional potentiometer somehow is overloaded by cd's typically high output (2-3v)? Finally and this is a very big plus i now have excellent control over volume and able to listen at much lower levels also." --A. D.  (West Yorkshire, U. K.)
-Ladder Attenuator Assembly and Use - [June, 2002]
"Just a quick note to let you know how I got on with the ladder attenuator. Assembly took me about 3 hours in total over a few weeknights - I took it slowly and was careful with the soldering. It works beautifully - no clicks or pops at all, so no need for the big ground resistor.  I'm using it in my DIY preamp which is a scratch-built version of Bruce Rozenblit's "Grounded Grid" preamp. As for the sound - superb!  A real improvement on the previous volume control, and I couldn't be happier.  I had a DACT stepped attenuator before, and although it works well I had the distinct feeling that it had a "cold" and "brittle" sound with a recessed midrange.  I know subjective terms like that aren't very helpful, but that was my impression.  The Goldpoint is much nicer to listen to, and I can't imagine wanting to change to anything else."       Tony (TG)   (Sydney, Australia)
-SA-1 / SA-3 Comparison Review - [June, 2002]
"When I received the SA-1R (with Roderstein resistors) and the SA-3,  my first listen was to the SA-1, which I compared  to my reference Monolithic PA-1 passive/active linestage. Although I did not use an SPL meter for level matching, I was very familiar with the source material and I could easily hear improvements in resolution, clarity, bass definition, and image specificity. Although the Monolithic is a little more flexible with a tape loop and a second set of outputs, and was a definite improvement over the Creek OHB12 passive linestage I had previously tried, it was not in the same sonic league as the SA-1R. The only reservation I had concerning the SA-1 was that voices, especially female vocals, had a slight glare, or edge on high pitch notes. I use silver interconnects and speaker cables throughout the system, and I suspected that I hadn't heard the glare previously but that it was inherent in the silver cabling. It took the increase in resolution that the SA-1 was imparting to expose what I assumed was a cabling flaw. As it turned out, when I substituted the SA-3 for the SA-1, all traces of glare disappeared. Additionally, I detected improvements in channel separation, the outcome of which was a perceived widening of the soundstage. All the improvements that were present with the SA-1 were there with the SA-3, in spades!    I am hearing details in my musical selections that were barely audible before, and even some background sounds and voices that I never detected before! The SA-3 really helps to bring performances closer to the listener and you really get a clearer sense of the emotional intent of the performer(s). The other day, I tried to stop listening to the equipment so intently and just get immersed in the sound, but I found  the ability of the SA-3 to unravel  hidden musical nuances so engaging, I couldn't resist being drawn further into the listening experience. Thanks for a superior product."           Larry Carmin  (Middlesex, N.J.)
-Mini-V Compared to Alps Blue Pot- [May, 2002]
"I replaced the Alps Blue pot of my Croft Carisma tube preamplifier for your Goldpoint  Mini-V Dale 0.1% mono Ladder Attenuators..... The sound is much better!!!!  The sound is now  more soft, improved detailed, transparent, sweet and extended lower frequency and dynamic ranges!!!!! Many thanks for a product with  well engineered, superb finish and very nice sound indeed...."      Best regards,  Prof. In Sun Koo (South Korea, Chinju) 
-SA-1 Experience - [January, 2002]
"I've had the SA-1 volume control box in my system for over a month now and couldn't be more pleased with the quality and value.  Congratulations on a fine product!"    G. T.  (Chicago, Illinois)
-Mini-V Compared to Bourns Plastic Pot - [January, 2002]
"I have the Mini V attenuators assembled and installed in my 300B monoblock amps. I am very pleased indeed with the results. The levels are exactly right with the attenuator around the 10th position. The look and feel of them is just great! Of course there is also a vast improvement in the sound over my old Bournes plastic film Pots. Very nice indeed ...    M. A.  (Northamptonshire, United Kingdom)
-Mini-V (with Holco 0.1% Resistors) Upgrades Alps Blue Potentiometer - [October, 1999]
"Astonishing sound!! I replaced the ALPS Blue Pot of my Simply 845 Single-ended Triode Integrated amplifier for your Mini-V Holco 0.1% Stepped Attenuator... The sound is much much BETTER!!!  It's like change my Very good Amp for another amp two leagues above... No doubt, this is the most inexpensive way to boost up the sound quality of any amp with a pot inside (I'm talking about VERY clear changes... no subtle ones)... The sound is now MANY more detailed, transparent, sweet and spacious!!!  Many thanks for a product with superb finish and better
sound!!!   -Jose Ramon Garcia. (Madrid, Spain)
-Mini-V Used for Potentiometer Upgrade - [May, 1999]
"I have received the two attenuators on Tuesday. I have installed them and yesterday I have listened to some music from CD and LP. I have to say: my amp plays in another league. It offers more detailed but also sweeter sound. Soundstage is MUCH (!) better and bass is faster and deeper. A real step to higher quality of reproduction..."---Dominik Bruecher   (Basel, Switzerland)
-Mini-Vs Used for Active Load Line Settings - [March, 1999]
-"I am using an active load line in the cathode follower stage of the driver of my Atma-Sphere M60 amp. This circuit performs really well with the proviso that the resistors in the active load line are balanced and tuned. This usually requires a precision potentiometer, but I didn't want to send my signal through such a noisy device. Arn and I designed a set of resistor values [over the phone] that worked with the Goldpo- int rotary switch such that I basically had 1% detents over the range of resistance in question. When I finished building the amps, it was really easy to balance the load lines and they sound absolutely incredible."- --Alok Gupta   (Seattle, Washington)
-Mini-Vs (with Roderstein resistors) Used in Production of High End Vacuum Tube Gear - [February, 1999]
"We just started to manufacture a dual mono, tube line stage with separate left and  right attenuators.  We obtained various samples from different  manufacturers and  decided on the Arn Roatcap, Goldpoint Series Type 24 stepped attenuators for  production. They were, by far the best of the lot. The sound was superior with the lowest noise ( w/ Roderstein 1% metal film resistors installed and at 25K) and the workmanship was also top notch."---J. F.  (Cranston, Rhode Island)
-Mini-V in Mono Block Amplifiers - [May, 1998]
"We manufacture mono block audio tube amplifiers. In our last production run, we installed a pair of your mono 250K attenuators (supplied by our customer) in a pair of our amps. We were so impressed with the performance of these units we would like to offer an attenuator as an option to our customers... Congratulations on  offering a well engineered, well built product."   D. B.  (Dallas, Texas)
-Goldpoint Ladder Attenuator Praised - [March, 1997]
"I just wanted to thank you very much for the Goldpoint attenuator I picked up yesterday. Got it installed. It sounds wonderful! It's just absolutely a great step up from what it was and I can't thank you enough. So, once again, congratulations. A great product!"- --M. B.  (San Ramon, California)
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