DIY Upgrading controls on a Sunvalley SV-Pre1616D preamp

[Catcherfly]

Hi all,
I have a Sunvalley SV-Pre1616D preamp that I'd like to upgrade the level,
balance, and input controls on. And possibly a gain attenuator. I've been leaning toward Gold point for the Volume and input controls.
I have an Elekit TU-8600s amp (which is technically an integrated amp with its own volume control).
So with the amp and preamp I have more gain in the system than preferred.
I’ve been setting the 8600 volume at around 12:00 and controlling the volume with the SV-Pre1616D. The distortion is audible lower than when the volume is maxed on the 8600.
I’d prefer to keep a stereo volume and balance control.
So basically I’m wondering is anyone knows of a quality balance control and if it’s possible to install a gain control. There isn’t a lot of room in/on the enclosure but was thinking, with a small-ish dial, I could put on the top right.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Joe

 

[paul_b]

What's installed in there now? If the amp sounds better with the volume control all the way up, then you could add some pre-attenuation between the input selector switch in your preamp and the level controls, though how that is done will depend a bit on the actual design of the preamp.

 

[Catcherfly]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for your reply. I don't know what's in there but ive read that the volume control could be improved. the amp sound better when the volume is lower and controlled with the preamp