Dip switches for the attenuator?

mgmopar · 6th September 2004, 03:14 PM

Hi, I haven't found this question on the forum. I am figuring someone might of tried this, instead just going with it. I would first get opinions. I am running a multi amp set up and will only need a limited gain control for set up. I plan on having the access to the attenuator inside the case. I first of thought about the use of dip switches or secondly using jumpers such as on computers to select the gain. I would think this would be good but these switches and jumpers were not intended for the audio signal. Will the signal loose significant quality threw such switches? Has anybody done this in the past are their any good PCB designs already tried?

rabbitz · 6th September 2004, 03:43 PM

The ESP P88 pre-amp uses dip switches to set the gain. Details are not shown on the P88 web site but are in the instructions for when you buy the PCB. There is a pic though..... have a look at figure 6.

http://sound.westhost.com/project88.htm

peranders · 6th September 2004, 04:00 PM

Most high quality DIP switches are good. I have never had any problem with a DIP switch in industrial environment. Jumpers are also rather good, especially those which are gold plated.

I use a type which has a small tab so you more easily can can pull them off.

UrSv · 6th September 2004, 04:05 PM

If you configure it as a shunt attenuator then I think it would work very well. Try switches closest to ground if you think it will be audible.

Pass Aleph P 1.7 uses DIP switches to configure gain AFAIK and then even in the signal path.

rabbitz · 6th September 2004, 04:43 PM

The P88 pre-amp I built I used gold plated jumpers instead of dip switches. Cheaper and better IMO than the dip switches I could get.

mgmopar · 6th September 2004, 08:04 PM

Thank you for all the input,

I feel confidant now that good dip switches or jumpers will work fine.

Quote:

If you configure it as a shunt attenuator then I think it would work very well. Try switches closest to ground if you think it will be audible

From my understanding the shunt style design will change my input impedance and I really do not what to do that, it may affect other areas of my system. Although, I could make it very compact with the ability to activate more then one resistor at a time.

The attenuator will only have to control say the upper 1/3 of the volume. Just balancing the level this amp to another used at a different frequency. I figure a 8 or 10 place dip would be fine. I don't believe the ladder design would give me a benefit due to extra contact points. I think I am going with the series design with a resistor from the last switch (or jumper) to ground to achieve my final range and input impedance.

UrSv · 6th September 2004, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mgmopar

--snip--
From my understanding the shunt style design will change my input impedance and I really do not what to do that, it may affect other areas of my system. Although, I could make it very compact with the ability to activate more then one resistor at a time.
--snip--

Sure. It would and if you feel that it may affect things then choose another scheme. I wouldn't mind.

mgmopar · 8th September 2004, 02:24 AM

UrSv
I Don't have anything against the shunt design, But with the multiple amps I feel I would want the input impedance to be stable, so an adjustment on the gain of one doesn't effect others. If will also allow a more stable environment for my preamp to operate. Thanks for the good word on DIP switches.

Anything in particular to stay away from or look for when getting DIPs for audio use?

6th September 2004, 03:14 PM	#1
mgmopar diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Illinois, USA	Dip switches for the attenuator? Hi, I haven't found this question on the forum. I am figuring someone might of tried this, instead just going with it. I would first get opinions. I am running a multi amp set up and will only need a limited gain control for set up. I plan on having the access to the attenuator inside the case. I first of thought about the use of dip switches or secondly using jumpers such as on computers to select the gain. I would think this would be good but these switches and jumpers were not intended for the audio signal. Will the signal loose significant quality threw such switches? Has anybody done this in the past are their any good PCB designs already tried? __________________ burning the candle at both ends makes for a waxy mess.

6th September 2004, 04:00 PM	#3
peranders Electrons are yellow and more is better! diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 4	Most high quality DIP switches are good. I have never had any problem with a DIP switch in industrial environment. Jumpers are also rather good, especially those which are gold plated. I use a type which has a small tab so you more easily can can pull them off. __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me

6th September 2004, 04:05 PM	#4
UrSv diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden	If you configure it as a shunt attenuator then I think it would work very well. Try switches closest to ground if you think it will be audible. Pass Aleph P 1.7 uses DIP switches to configure gain AFAIK and then even in the signal path. __________________ UrSv Those who say it can't be done should not stop those who are doing it.

8th September 2004, 02:24 AM	#8
mgmopar diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Illinois, USA	UrSv I Don't have anything against the shunt design, But with the multiple amps I feel I would want the input impedance to be stable, so an adjustment on the gain of one doesn't effect others. If will also allow a more stable environment for my preamp to operate. Thanks for the good word on DIP switches. Anything in particular to stay away from or look for when getting DIPs for audio use? __________________ burning the candle at both ends makes for a waxy mess.

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6th September 2004, 03:43 PM	#2
rabbitz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Newcastle, Australia	The ESP P88 pre-amp uses dip switches to set the gain. Details are not shown on the P88 web site but are in the instructions for when you buy the PCB. There is a pic though..... have a look at figure 6. http://sound.westhost.com/project88.htm

6th September 2004, 04:43 PM	#5
rabbitz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Newcastle, Australia	The P88 pre-amp I built I used gold plated jumpers instead of dip switches. Cheaper and better IMO than the dip switches I could get.

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