Sticker shock-- dual potentiometers?

[Peter Pan]

I guess its good and bad that when I buy parts, I often stock up. Well it must have been a long time because today I went to my usual on-line sources (mouser, jameco, digikey, marlip p jomes) lloking for a very simple thing... a dual single turn potentiometer, audio taper, 10K. I was shocked to not find a single one at mouser or jameco, and totally sticker shocked to find some at digi-key, for the bargain price of $32 (no, I didn't forget a decimal point!).

Well first of all, does anyone know of a supplier (I'd rather not use radio shack parts unless its a dire emergency). Are there some more DIY friendly suppliers I need to know about?

Second, what in hell is going on? Have the days of hobbyists making home electronic projects officially gone by the wayside? At $32 for a dual pot, I certainly see why Americans can't possibly compete.

[digits]

Lol, you are doing something wrong, For that kind of money you could have one of those chinese stepped attenuators on e-bay, shipped in like 10 days.

[jackand08]

What search terms did you use? Sometimes it is better to find the product you're after by going through each individual product category and narrowing it down from there.

Here's what I found:

Mouser - Bourns 10K Audio Taper Pot:
Lugged version (for fastening wires to)
Pin version (for PCB mounting)
Both for $2.37

Didn't seem to be able to find anything on Jameco's site-their range seemed pretty poor and the descriptions weren't that great.

As for Digikey, the search function and descriptions were pretty poor so I didn't really bother trying.

As for alternatives, give Farnell US or Newark a try (both under the Farnell group of companies). If they are the same as Farnell over here, then you can expect low prices, good delivery costs and times along with a good selection of components.

[sofaspud]

All Electronics has 10k dual audios. They are PC mount, not panel mount. But hey, 4 for $1. Parts Express part #023-646 is a panel mount type.
It seems the trend is going with pushbutton controls. I suppose you want to listen to records, too!?!!

[LAJ]

I got one at FRY's locally for about $5 but it didn't have a switch.

[Peter Pan]

Well thanks everyone.

@Jack&08: Trouble is, I needed a DUAL pot. Ordinary rotary would do fine. But I can't find a single one on mouser.

@digits: Yeah why do you think I'm panicking! (LOL). I agree... $32? It ought to be space shuttle re-entry burn certified for that. Absurd!

@Sofaspud! Eureka! Thanks! Forgot about All Electronics! Thank God for close out places or we'd all be sunk! (LOL) And its a PC mount to boot! Well I only need 1, but something tells me I'd better buy at least a dozen!

Thanks again everyone! For parts, its getting scary out there! :-)

[jackand08]

@Jack&08: Trouble is, I needed a DUAL pot. Ordinary rotary would do fine. But I can't find a single one on mouser.

Both the pots I suggested are dual pots, just look at the description, title and picture.

[c2cthomas]

Dual audio pots = replaced by remote controls?

[vdi_nenna]

Stay away from PEC at Digikey. It was noisy and scratchy out of the box. Never heard anything like it. Sounds ok, but there's got to be a better find.

Try partsconnexion.com They have Alps Blue Velvet pots for a good price.

[digits]

Also RS components has a US outlet, the small green alps dual log pots should be no more than $3 or so.