Multiple Potentiometers

[dezzz]

I have been thinking about using multiple potmeters instead of a switch. Good switches are quite expensive, so why not spend the same amount of money on a few good pots instead. Maybe even different types, Alps, Noble, etc. That way you could match your system, and use the CD player on the most appropriate pot. And your Turntable on one that suits it. Would this approach to a switch cause any trouble?

[Nuuk]

An interesting concept if I understand you correctly. Instead of switching a source in or out, you would simply shunt it to ground by using a pot.

As you say, it would enable you to balance the input levels but I suspect that having to reset the levels each time that you change source may become a bit laborious! Just my 2p worth!

[dezzz]

I am not completely sure you get me. I will be using Stereo Pots, but just one for each source, so you can achieve the exact sound that suits the source. And a nice mixing feature that I am sure I will be using constantly :0) But this way of attenuating a channel instead of completely cutting it of, and off the circiut, would that cause problems? It is for a GainClone...

[dnsey]

What you will have is, of course,an audio mixer

It's been done before in a few high end amps (such as the IMF Galactron, which also had seperate bass and treble controls for each channel, and faders between inputs!).

I think you might need mute switches for unused inputs to avoid breakthrough - in which case ypu might as well used fixed mixing resistors and muting alone to select inputs. The switches would not, of course, have to be of particularly high quality in that case, (and could be incorporated in a rotary switch), so would make an interesting alternative selection system.

The idea of using different pots for each input is interesting though