[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

I like that passive device you linked, Wayne, but I don't like its 3 dB insertion loss.

Well, that’s a necessary function of the volume controlling capability you said you wanted (1st and 5th posts), but maybe I misunderstood what your needs were.

Like any pre amp, the Chase is basically an attenuator, with full-open passing an input signal’s full voltage. Any setting below fully open is attenuating the signal – but you have to have that in order to turn the subs up via remote control. If needed, the Chase could be set for full open, if you leave it plugged in to an always-hot outlet and not switch its power cord, the latter of which I recommended if one wanted it to return to a reference setting upon system power-up (as I noted in that thread I opened about the Chase, once you adjust its volume it’s difficult to exactly return it back to where you started).

As to the Peavey, I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with it, if you believe it will fit your needs – which I’m not sure I fully understand at this point. If this is what you’re trying to accomplish...

My preamp does not offer a signal at the subwoofer output when used to listen to 2-channel audio with the mains set to "full range" (and definitely not when in "bypass" mode).

My current thinking is that I will use my currently-unused L/R main balanced outputs. To get these to be a single mono signal, I will send them through a small two-channel mixer. That will then be fed to the "other" channel of the BFD, the one that's currently unused.

...you could use the Peavey to combine the signal to mono, then send that signal to a separate input on the Chase, then switch between Chase inputs for music or movies.

Regards,
Wayne