Volume potentiometer

Morello · 15th October 2002, 07:49 PM

Hello dear Sirs,

I'm looking for a first class volume control to my preamp.

I have so far tried Noble, Alps anf Bourns and none of these are first class with respect to channel balance.

Any suggestions?

Is a stepped attenuator the only way to go?

best reagrds

UrSv · 15th October 2002, 08:13 PM

Stepped is good for channel balance but there are places that seem to select good ones for you.

Schuro also sells Panasonic matched to 0.4 dB channel balance and Alps to 2 dB. Prices are fair. http://www.schuro.de/

Thel sells Pansonic at 1.0 dB balance and Silver/Carbon pots at 1.0 dB (0.5 dB typical). http://www.thel.de/

/UrSv

Morello · 15th October 2002, 08:23 PM

Dear UrSv,

Thans for your suggestions.

best regards\Morello

cocolino · 15th October 2002, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Schuro also sells Panasonic matched to 0.4 dB channel balance and Alps to 2 dB. Prices are fair. http://www.schuro.de/

I believe there is no need to purchase matched Alps potentiometers. Though the ordinary (blue) Alps is specified with max. 3db channel mismatch, usually they are far better.
Up to now I had a couple of them and at positions used in normal hearing conditions (@1/3 to 2/3 clockwise, not at or very near the end positions) the channel mismatch is <1db, mostly even <0,5dB.
But maybe I just had luck with mine so far?

Peter Daniel · 15th October 2002, 09:39 PM

What about those?

I still have them, because it looks like everybody around is building BOZ and looks for lower value in pots, are you?

4 deck switching attenuators

dhaen · 16th October 2002, 12:04 AM

This reply might not be popular amongst those audiphiles who equate cost with quality but......
I have had really good results with Bourns 3310 series pots.
They cost about 6 UK Pounds each for a dual gang audio taper type. I've used many of them, both in business and pleasure, and have found them to be consistant. They are only quoted as +-5% accuracy (which actually means nothing), but I believe in them.
You can get them from RS and Farnell in Europe.

One point worth noting as far as channel tracking is concerned, is that the higher the system gain (the further anti-clockwise your normal listening level), the worse will be the percieved mis-match, for any pot.
So, it's worth padding with a fixed resistor in series with the top of the pot to set your maximum gain.

eLarson · 16th October 2002, 12:30 AM

Peter,

Didn't Sonic Frontiers go out of the parts business? Something about concentrating 100% on building Anthem gear to meet demand.

Erik

Peter Daniel · 16th October 2002, 01:40 AM

More like "Gone Fishing", cause that what was written on the doors during last days of their operation.

I suspect financial problems.

Morello · 16th October 2002, 02:29 AM

Dear Sirs,

Thanks for your suggestions.

Best regards\Morello

15th October 2002, 07:49 PM	#1
Morello diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden	Volume potentiometer Hello dear Sirs, I'm looking for a first class volume control to my preamp. I have so far tried Noble, Alps anf Bourns and none of these are first class with respect to channel balance. Any suggestions? Is a stepped attenuator the only way to go? best reagrds __________________ "It was never supposed to be a hit, it was supposed to be a Joe Morello drum solo"- Paul Desmond

15th October 2002, 08:23 PM	#3
Morello diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden	Dear UrSv, Thans for your suggestions. best regards\Morello __________________ "It was never supposed to be a hit, it was supposed to be a Joe Morello drum solo"- Paul Desmond

15th October 2002, 09:39 PM	#5
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	What about those? I still have them, because it looks like everybody around is building BOZ and looks for lower value in pots, are you? 4 deck switching attenuators __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

16th October 2002, 01:40 AM	#8
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	More like "Gone Fishing", cause that what was written on the doors during last days of their operation. I suspect financial problems. __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

16th October 2002, 02:29 AM	#9
Morello diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden	Dear Sirs, Thanks for your suggestions. Best regards\Morello __________________ "It was never supposed to be a hit, it was supposed to be a Joe Morello drum solo"- Paul Desmond


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15th October 2002, 08:13 PM	#2
UrSv diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden	Stepped is good for channel balance but there are places that seem to select good ones for you. Schuro also sells Panasonic matched to 0.4 dB channel balance and Alps to 2 dB. Prices are fair. http://www.schuro.de/ Thel sells Pansonic at 1.0 dB balance and Silver/Carbon pots at 1.0 dB (0.5 dB typical). http://www.thel.de/ /UrSv

16th October 2002, 12:04 AM	#6
dhaen diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.K.	This reply might not be popular amongst those audiphiles who equate cost with quality but...... I have had really good results with Bourns 3310 series pots. They cost about 6 UK Pounds each for a dual gang audio taper type. I've used many of them, both in business and pleasure, and have found them to be consistant. They are only quoted as +-5% accuracy (which actually means nothing), but I believe in them. You can get them from RS and Farnell in Europe. One point worth noting as far as channel tracking is concerned, is that the higher the system gain (the further anti-clockwise your normal listening level), the worse will be the percieved mis-match, for any pot. So, it's worth padding with a fixed resistor in series with the top of the pot to set your maximum gain.

16th October 2002, 12:30 AM	#7
eLarson diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gaithersburg, MD	Peter, Didn't Sonic Frontiers go out of the parts business? Something about concentrating 100% on building Anthem gear to meet demand. Erik

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