HELP Digital bad, vinyl good???

Line stage almost never provides voltage gain; under most circumstances, attenuates signal. The voltage coming out of a linestage source component, if plugged dirtectly inot your amp, would be terribly loud, and therefore needs to be attenuated. I think the preamp may provide current gain (my term, probably not a correct electrical term), which is to say that if the amp requires more current than the source is capable of providing, the preamp will be able to provide it.

OK, there is a 0dB point in most pre attentuators, and attentuation below that point and gain above. the 0 dB pt IS pretty loud, so at most normal listening volumes, you are right, it is attentuation. However, the point is if the phono stage output feeds the line stage, just like any line level component, then a bad tube in the line stage should affect the phono and the cdp. I unplugged the phono as suggested and it cdp problem is the same, but it is intermittent in nature. Worked fine for an hour last night, then went sour. This am, bot about 15 minutes out of it. Will have to test the tubes, next.

Yours is an interesting puzzle. Keep us posted.

I shall. Will be calling Kevin Hayes at VAC tomorrow, probably.

OK, boys and girls. The answer you've been waiting for....My BAM was unplugged. No idea what that could have had the effect that it did. Plugged the sucker in, switched it over to AC/charge and away we went. Post christmas music tip, new Joan Osborne, "Pretty Little Stranger". Alt-rock meets country. Gift from my brother. Its great- go figure. Happy New Year to all.