Difference between 20k,50k,100kpots

Puffin · 20th March 2006, 10:07 AM

Can anyone tell me why there are different specs for different applications ? I have used a 20k pot in my modded S.I amp. I think the original is 50k. What difference would this make ?

sreten · 20th March 2006, 05:22 PM

Hi,

the answer is not much usually, unless its a tone control.

When they are just level controls the lower value pots can drive
the output better but have lower input impedance thus they load
the input more. Only really an issue with valve equipment.

For all passive controls you have to be careful of capacitive loading
of the output, the higher value the pot the more careful you should be.

On a purely technical level lower value pots also have less noise,
but whether this is really an issue depends on the exact circumstances.

/sreten.

20th March 2006, 10:07 AM	#1
Puffin diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: U.K	Difference between 20k,50k,100kpots Can anyone tell me why there are different specs for different applications ? I have used a 20k pot in my modded S.I amp. I think the original is 50k. What difference would this make ?

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20th March 2006, 05:22 PM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, the answer is not much usually, unless its a tone control. When they are just level controls the lower value pots can drive the output better but have lower input impedance thus they load the input more. Only really an issue with valve equipment. For all passive controls you have to be careful of capacitive loading of the output, the higher value the pot the more careful you should be. On a purely technical level lower value pots also have less noise, but whether this is really an issue depends on the exact circumstances. /sreten.

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