adequate volume control?

[raginbullwinkle]

I am looking to build a chipamp.com stereo kit, and have been mulling over what to do with regards to volume control. Has anyone integrated the aikido stepped kit into their gainclone? Is this a better alternative than using a simple pot? 36 position attenuator Second question....if it is a good option, would i want a 100k or a 20k kit?

[jnb]

A simple pot will be a simpler solution, to implement and to use, but since you've seen this product and haven't gone running....

The stepped attenuator will among other things minimise channel balance issues you could find some pots.

One question you have to ask yourself is: what is my minimum required volume setting, and how big can I allow the steps to be?

[Kinnja]

Originally posted by raginbullwinkle
...Has anyone integrated the aikido stepped kit into their gainclone?...36 position attenuator...

I'm using it in a passive linestage. It sounds fine, but I can't say I hear any improvement over a pot. And my listening preferences often seem to be contrary to what other people prefer.

It is my first and only stepped attenuator. I chose it for the low price, and because I need a balance control.

Originally posted by raginbullwinkle
...Second question....if it is a good option, would i want a 100k or a 20k kit?

I got the 20k kit because I read something about the input impedance of my chip amp being 20k, and that the output impedance of the line stage should match the input impedance of the amp, but I don't know if any of that is correct. And I'm far from being an expert. My amp is built from Audio Sector's LM3875 kit.

Originally posted by jnb
A simple pot will be a simpler solution, to implement and to use, but since you've seen this product and haven't gone running....

The stepped attenuator will among other things minimise channel balance issues you could find some pots.

One question you have to ask yourself is: what is my minimum required volume setting, and how big can I allow the steps to be?

For my needs I agree with jnb:

There is a lot less soldering to do with one or two pots, if you need to, you could use two mono pots, one each for each L/R channel.

The Aikido kit gives me just enough L/R attenuation to make the balance right. I don't have many options for speaker placement.

I don't know how the 20k and 100k kits would differ in this regard, but the center switch on the 20k would be better with more positions with smaller increases between each.

I also connected a resistor in line with each input to the Aikido PCB to lower the minimum volume level.

I would buy it again; the price was right, I learned something, and I'm using the Aikido attenuator at the moment. Really, I have no complaints, and I don't think anyone can beat the price.

[jnb]

Items such as this are available, too. This one has fewer steps but uses a single control knob. You could use a double pole switch to implement a level drop to effectively double the range if you needed it.


http://cgi.ebay.com/DACT-type-23-ste...QQcmdZViewItem


Your input impedance (mostly the pot resistance) can usually be tailored to suit your needs with your variety of amp. Can your sources handle 20k?

[AndrewT]

Hi,
the aikido is good.
But the designer has forgotten the normal rule of Zout<=Zin/10 between the two stages.

Buy as is and substitute the first stage resistors for ones with much lower resistance to get the best out of this attenuator.
All the resistor selection data is on the website.

eg.
Source Rs=100r
Zin balance control~2k
Zout of balance control ~<=500r
Zin attenuator~10k
Zout attenuator~<=2k5
output cables must be very short.
Zin amplifier ~>=20k

These values prompt the question:- can your source drive 2k?
Will your amplifier be happy with Rs varying between 0r and 2k5?

[wlowes]

I built the "lightspeed attenuator" and wired the optocouplers right to the chip amp. Amazing sound. See posts on this forum

Lightspeed Attenuator a new passive preamp