Ultimate Volume Control

[jleaman]

bcherry, where did you get the chassis from ?

[ThorstenL]

Hi,

I'm not Brian, but I have one of these playing here, I must add I am using Shunt Mode (=-6dB gain) and Tube Stage set to 6dB Gain, meaning in the end of the day the thing is unity gain at full up.

At 6dB gain the Tube stage uses 24dB local feedback and hence is pretty transparent. So much for background.

Originally Posted by marchel

How do you characterize the sound quality of the UVC versus your AVC or TVC? Which is more transparent sounding?

I don't have a TVC (or AVC) at hand, the UVC in Shunt Mode plus UTS replaced a 10K Noble Pot passive in my system.

Detail is about even stevens (despite the UVC based preamp being active) the active preamp sounds a little bigger, blowsier and a little more diffuse. No obvious "solid state" signature, unlike the CS and BB solid state pots.

I love the remote capability and the ability to set the volume in incredibly precise intervals. I have re-programmed the MCE remote that controls my PC digital source to control the UVC.

Couch potato heaven, cue up the music on the remote, change the volume remotely and have the girlfriend bring me red wine and cheese. Never have to get up at all.

Better get my "less convenient" system back into work, I'm putting on weight.

Originally Posted by marchel

Is it possible to adjust the fet buffer of the UVC to have a gain of 6db?

Looking at the principle schematic at the diyhifisupply site, no way Jose! No can no do, sorry.

Ciao T

[ThorstenL]

Hi,

Originally Posted by jleaman

bcherry, where did you get the chassis from ?

He has them made and sells them. If you need one:

Diy HiFi Supply | Take Control

Ciao T

[mkc]

Hi T,

You lucky devil... My wife does buy the red wine, though

Sorry for going OT.

I do have a pair fo S&B TX-102 MKIII (from the diyaudio group buy), I believe, in the basement, that I never got around wiring up. One of these days...

cheers,
mkc

[bcherry]

Originally Posted by marchel

Hello Brian,

How do you characterize the sound quality of the UVC versus your AVC or TVC? Which is more transparent sounding?

Thank you.

It is close but in a resolving system (such as the horn ribbon based one we are now using) the TVC comes out as a little more transparent and detailed. Dynamics about equal. However that requires source/load impedances friendly to a TVC because if a little less than ideal, the scales tip the other way (the first thing to go is the dynamics). Using a TVC means the other components need to be selected for the sake of the TVC whereas one could drop the UVC into most any system and get very good results.

regards
Brian