Hi - I just finished a TDA 2050 stereo amplifier - my first project. Now I'd like to add a volume control. I think I need a "passive attenuator". I need less volume from the CD player, basically. Can someone point me to a simple schematic or something? I assume I just need to solder a potentiometer into the input path, but I guess I need to somehow mechanically gear them so that both channels are adjusted with one knob? I'm in the UK, so 'll probably be ordering parts from Farnell.co.uk.
I would love to add bass/treble control, but I'm going to save that for later, unless it's very simple, cheap and quick.
I did some searching on here before I posted this, but I couldn't find what I need. If the answer is somewhere obvious, can you please hook me up?
thanks
I would love to add bass/treble control, but I'm going to save that for later, unless it's very simple, cheap and quick.
I did some searching on here before I posted this, but I couldn't find what I need. If the answer is somewhere obvious, can you please hook me up?
thanks
Search on this forum, or google "dual gang pot". Once your understand the function go to your parts distributer and see what's out there. Do you know the input impeadance of the TDA 2050 amp? as this will be important information in selecting a pot value. Also the output impeadance of teh CD player. (perhaps low like <1K).
Here what ive learnt so far from recent question I've posted. For one choose a decent pot if you going the Pot route. Nobel have been recomened to me as well as Alps
potentiometers - Hifi Collective see here for UK supplier.
You'd use a pots that has is stereo compatibility from the get go. no need for connectors and such.
Also look at using a shunt resistor.
Also take a look at stepped attenuators
potentiometers - Hifi Collective see here for UK supplier.
You'd use a pots that has is stereo compatibility from the get go. no need for connectors and such.
Also look at using a shunt resistor.
Also take a look at stepped attenuators
Here's the basic idea. You need a dual-gang logarithmic potentiometer. Dual-gang means 2 pots linked on a common spindle
The 100k pot shown is from a valve amplifier, 10k is probably more appropriate for a CD player and chip amp. You might conceivably need to go as low as 1k, but I doubt it. The value should ideally be higher than the CD player output impedance and lower than the chipamp input impedance. You connect the input signal to one side of the pot, signal ground to the other, and take the signal from the wiper (centre connector) to the amp. If the volume control is not clockwise for UP then swap the input signal and ground connections.
w
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
The 100k pot shown is from a valve amplifier, 10k is probably more appropriate for a CD player and chip amp. You might conceivably need to go as low as 1k, but I doubt it. The value should ideally be higher than the CD player output impedance and lower than the chipamp input impedance. You connect the input signal to one side of the pot, signal ground to the other, and take the signal from the wiper (centre connector) to the amp. If the volume control is not clockwise for UP then swap the input signal and ground connections.
w
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Here's some (bass mid treb vol). (found on google)
Adam's Amplifiers: Tone Stacks
Tone Control circuit diagrams using IC TL082 | ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT
Portable Mixer - RED - Page53
Adam's Amplifiers: Tone Stacks
Tone Control circuit diagrams using IC TL082 | ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT
Portable Mixer - RED - Page53
Attachments
Hi
Not sure about tone controls in th context of your question but what I did was
type ' Stepped Attenuator ' in E bay and choose a value to suit.
You can spend a lot or spend very little and still get good results.
There are plenty of values to choose from once you decide or find out the best impedance match for your kit - as already mentioned.
Andrew
Not sure about tone controls in th context of your question but what I did was
type ' Stepped Attenuator ' in E bay and choose a value to suit.
You can spend a lot or spend very little and still get good results.
There are plenty of values to choose from once you decide or find out the best impedance match for your kit - as already mentioned.
Andrew
darkczar,
The 23 step resistor type attenuators on ebay work pretty darn good for less than 20.00 each. You will notice at times that the switch does not fully engage the slot and may need to be touched. Once set they are almost invisible in the circuit. You could search long and hard and spend serious money but these chinese units are really good.
Please ask for a wiring schematic from the seller. It sometimes speeds things up. There is also a seller for the full monty, source selector step attenuator and all which comes with a nice aluminum housing and all. You may have to search for it. A complete passive in one housing. It is important to order the input impedance your amp design requires or your volume settings may be too low or too high.
Good luck on this project you are now addicted to diy Tad
The 23 step resistor type attenuators on ebay work pretty darn good for less than 20.00 each. You will notice at times that the switch does not fully engage the slot and may need to be touched. Once set they are almost invisible in the circuit. You could search long and hard and spend serious money but these chinese units are really good.
Please ask for a wiring schematic from the seller. It sometimes speeds things up. There is also a seller for the full monty, source selector step attenuator and all which comes with a nice aluminum housing and all. You may have to search for it. A complete passive in one housing. It is important to order the input impedance your amp design requires or your volume settings may be too low or too high.
Good luck on this project you are now addicted to diy Tad
HI - I couldn't resist walking over to Maplin this morning and buying a 10K dual gang pot for 2 pounds and 53 pence. It's made in the UK. It seems to work fine. I had to solder a few different times before I got it set up correctly, but it works OK. I plugged my TV's audio output into the amplifier, and it's wicked loud, but I was able to turn the volume almost all the way down, and it was OK.
I'm definitely going to add some bass and treble next. The TV puts out very bass heavy sound through my amp and speakers. It sounds tinny through the TV speakers. It would be a nice blend, except that there's a few millisecond delay between them, so everyone sounds like Darth Vader.
I'm definitely going to add some bass and treble next. The TV puts out very bass heavy sound through my amp and speakers. It sounds tinny through the TV speakers. It would be a nice blend, except that there's a few millisecond delay between them, so everyone sounds like Darth Vader.
Hello,
it's nice that you already bought your dual-gang pot....
but during my past experience, I found out that stepped attenuators has better sonics performance than the log pots....
even if they were made of cheap resistors and rotary switch (in similiar price range)
so my suggestion,
you should try one compared to your pot
regards
it's nice that you already bought your dual-gang pot....
but during my past experience, I found out that stepped attenuators has better sonics performance than the log pots....
even if they were made of cheap resistors and rotary switch (in similiar price range)
so my suggestion,
you should try one compared to your pot
regards
I used this stepped attenuator... it is very nice, and and I thought inexpensive enough to try it. So far it's working for me.
DACT Type 21 Stepped Attenuator 20K FOR PASS B1 DIY - eBay (item 120502791204 end time Oct-02-10 10:17:39 PDT)
DACT Type 21 Stepped Attenuator 20K FOR PASS B1 DIY - eBay (item 120502791204 end time Oct-02-10 10:17:39 PDT)
I'll take a look at the stepped attenuators. I guess they wire up the same, just different parts inside, huh?
I'm thinking of adding bass/mid/treble controls, as someone posted above. Stepped attenuators would be fine for that, right? I figure if I'm adding three more items to the signal path, it might be worth investing in a little quality.
I'm thinking of adding bass/mid/treble controls, as someone posted above. Stepped attenuators would be fine for that, right? I figure if I'm adding three more items to the signal path, it might be worth investing in a little quality.
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