Ladder or Series Attenuator for volume?

artfuldodger · 27th September 2011, 01:17 PM

Which type is better for volume control? I will use this on the inputs of a Tripath TA1024 amp. Should i go with a 50k or 100k?

AndrewT · 27th September 2011, 01:25 PM

Both work very well at attenuating the signal.

If your source can drive a lower impedance load, then I'd suggest using a 10k pot.
2.12Vrms (3Vpk) into a 100k pot requires a peak current of 0.03 mA to feed the resistive load.
Using a 10k pot increases that peak current demand to 0.3mA.

Since the parasitic capacitances could demand a further 1mA of peak current, the difference in total peak current is between 1.03 and 1.30mA, i.e. 270uApk.
Go for the lower 10k impedance.

udailey · 4th October 2011, 04:30 PM

Agreed. Lower sounds better.
Andrew what do you think about building a pot into a pair of interconnects? Lower amount of connectors and you could locate it at one end of the wires so that its close to the input of the amp, this way less cable to drive.

AndrewT · 4th October 2011, 11:19 PM

I firmly believe that the volume control should be readily accessible to the listener.

That virtually demands that the volume control should not be located at or near and certainly not inside the Power Amps.

Under the stereo located in the middle of the "Listening Wall" is also not a good location.
Remotes help solve this location problem, but non remotes really need the pre-amp next to the listener with long leads from and to the other gear.

27th September 2011, 01:17 PM	#1
artfuldodger diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	Ladder or Series Attenuator for volume? Which type is better for volume control? I will use this on the inputs of a Tripath TA1024 amp. Should i go with a 50k or 100k?

4th October 2011, 04:30 PM	#3
udailey Passive Aggressive diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Agreed. Lower sounds better. Andrew what do you think about building a pot into a pair of interconnects? Lower amount of connectors and you could locate it at one end of the wires so that its close to the input of the amp, this way less cable to drive. __________________ You can purchase LDRs anytime to build a standard LDR attenuator or to build my new LDR Attenuator "A Lighter Note". Email me. diyldr@gmail.com

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27th September 2011, 01:25 PM	#2
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Both work very well at attenuating the signal. If your source can drive a lower impedance load, then I'd suggest using a 10k pot. 2.12Vrms (3Vpk) into a 100k pot requires a peak current of 0.03 mA to feed the resistive load. Using a 10k pot increases that peak current demand to 0.3mA. Since the parasitic capacitances could demand a further 1mA of peak current, the difference in total peak current is between 1.03 and 1.30mA, i.e. 270uApk. Go for the lower 10k impedance.

4th October 2011, 11:19 PM	#4
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	I firmly believe that the volume control should be readily accessible to the listener. That virtually demands that the volume control should not be located at or near and certainly not inside the Power Amps. Under the stereo located in the middle of the "Listening Wall" is also not a good location. Remotes help solve this location problem, but non remotes really need the pre-amp next to the listener with long leads from and to the other gear.