Multi-Channel Stepped Attenuators?

goody75 · 8th August 2011, 09:57 PM

Considering the staggering price of a 6-channel DACT CT2 stepped attenuator ($500), are there any other alternatives for 6-channel stepped attenuators?

Also, is there any way to purchase a 4-channel & a 2-channel (or 3 x 2-channels) and disassemble/reassemble them together to make a new 6-channel attenuator?

zigzagflux · 9th August 2011, 01:12 AM

This is what I use. $350 isn't exactly cheap, of course, but I like the performance and tactile feel.

Prices

goody75 · 10th August 2011, 02:31 AM

That's still significantly more than I would like to spend.

The other alternative that I should raise is a multi-ganged potentiometer. Does anyone know of any that would accomodate 6-channels? I would prefer quality ones (e.g. Alps) but would at least like to know if they exist?

Thanks.

F1 FAN · 10th August 2011, 02:55 AM

ALPS does or atleast did make a 6 ganged motorized conductive plastic pot.

goody75 · 21st August 2011, 12:51 PM

Thanks, F1 Fan. That would probably work if I can find one. What I am also interested in is the ability to disassemble and reassemble different/matching stepped attenuators.

1) It would allow me to make a single 6-channel attenuator from 3 2-channel ones (because it would be cheaper).

2) It also gives me room to expand. Let's say I buy a Goldpoint 6-channel stepped attenuator for $350. I could make a pretty awesome 5.1 sound passive preamp. But if I decide I want to expand to 7.1, the only way I can have a master volume control for all the channels is to buy an 8-channel stepped (I don't even want to guess what the price would be) or deconstruct the 6-channel attenuator and another 2-channel attenuator, then put them all together. I like this idea and it looks like it shouldn't be that difficult to add a few more decks - I'm guessing just some screwing & soldering but that's just a guess.

At some point I read part of a thread on this subject and someone suggested it but there were no details other than the suggestion. Does anyone have an idea about the feasibility and difficulty of the deconstruction and reassembly of 2 or more stepped attenuators to get a larger, ganged one with more channels?

8th August 2011, 09:57 PM	#1
goody75 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Motown (area)	Multi-Channel Stepped Attenuators? Considering the staggering price of a 6-channel DACT CT2 stepped attenuator ($500), are there any other alternatives for 6-channel stepped attenuators? Also, is there any way to purchase a 4-channel & a 2-channel (or 3 x 2-channels) and disassemble/reassemble them together to make a new 6-channel attenuator?

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9th August 2011, 01:12 AM	#2
zigzagflux diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	This is what I use. $350 isn't exactly cheap, of course, but I like the performance and tactile feel. Prices

10th August 2011, 02:31 AM	#3
goody75 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Motown (area)	That's still significantly more than I would like to spend. The other alternative that I should raise is a multi-ganged potentiometer. Does anyone know of any that would accomodate 6-channels? I would prefer quality ones (e.g. Alps) but would at least like to know if they exist? Thanks.

10th August 2011, 02:55 AM	#4
F1 FAN diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	ALPS does or atleast did make a 6 ganged motorized conductive plastic pot.

21st August 2011, 12:51 PM	#5
goody75 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Motown (area)	Thanks, F1 Fan. That would probably work if I can find one. What I am also interested in is the ability to disassemble and reassemble different/matching stepped attenuators. 1) It would allow me to make a single 6-channel attenuator from 3 2-channel ones (because it would be cheaper). 2) It also gives me room to expand. Let's say I buy a Goldpoint 6-channel stepped attenuator for $350. I could make a pretty awesome 5.1 sound passive preamp. But if I decide I want to expand to 7.1, the only way I can have a master volume control for all the channels is to buy an 8-channel stepped (I don't even want to guess what the price would be) or deconstruct the 6-channel attenuator and another 2-channel attenuator, then put them all together. I like this idea and it looks like it shouldn't be that difficult to add a few more decks - I'm guessing just some screwing & soldering but that's just a guess. At some point I read part of a thread on this subject and someone suggested it but there were no details other than the suggestion. Does anyone have an idea about the feasibility and difficulty of the deconstruction and reassembly of 2 or more stepped attenuators to get a larger, ganged one with more channels?