Need to Upgrade Tube Preamp Volume Pot

MrKTrout · 28th December 2011, 05:17 PM

What would be a good volume pot upgrade for the Matisse design MDS-623 tube preamp? I would like to upgrade because there is some noise and balance issues with the present volume control.

Matisse design Tube-preamp & fumusic MDS-623 &6N3 & AMP | eBay

Thanks

Eli Duttman · 28th December 2011, 05:56 PM

Stepped attenuators, either DIY or off the shelf, are popular. However, stepped attenuators are expensive and the metal film resistors used in their construction can be "cold" sounding.

PEC of Canada makes hot molded carbon controls that are milspec tough, very good sounding, and not especially costly, You can buy PEC controls from DigiKey. A member of the KKA series is appropriate in the stereo volume control role.

Jebem · 28th December 2011, 07:26 PM

Yap, stepped attenuators are the best choice if money is no object.
But for the price and design of this preamp, I would use one ALPS Blue Velvet potentiometer, as it is adequate and is much cheaper than (good) stepped attenuators.

AdamThorne · 28th December 2011, 07:37 PM

Ebay has smd based stepped attenuators ~ $10. Chinese manufacture, I think. Log, stereo, 10K / 50k / 100k ohm. Are they any good? I have no idea.

dgta · 28th December 2011, 10:29 PM

From the eBay ad for that preamp:

"the kind of taste the feeling of gallbladder bile reflected most vividly, especially the night also highlighted its charming style."

I gotta get me some

ihear21khz · 29th December 2011, 01:52 AM

Cheap and good: Analog Metric Limited - DIY Audio Kit
Check out their Dale resistor based stepped attenuator. These sound really good and pay the few bucks more they're asking to have the unit built for you. You'd have to be a brilliant solderer to build it better than they do. I have purchased from them and have had no issues.

john dozier · 29th December 2011, 03:01 AM

Oh go for it! TKD all the way! Regards

28th December 2011, 05:17 PM	#1
MrKTrout diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pasadena, California	Need to Upgrade Tube Preamp Volume Pot What would be a good volume pot upgrade for the Matisse design MDS-623 tube preamp? I would like to upgrade because there is some noise and balance issues with the present volume control. Matisse design Tube-preamp & fumusic MDS-623 &6N3 & AMP \| eBay Thanks

28th December 2011, 05:56 PM	#2
Eli Duttman diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Plainsboro, NJ	Stepped attenuators, either DIY or off the shelf, are popular. However, stepped attenuators are expensive and the metal film resistors used in their construction can be "cold" sounding. PEC of Canada makes hot molded carbon controls that are milspec tough, very good sounding, and not especially costly, You can buy PEC controls from DigiKey. A member of the KKA series is appropriate in the stereo volume control role. __________________ Eli D.

29th December 2011, 03:01 AM	#7
john dozier diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: columbia sc	Oh go for it! TKD all the way! Regards __________________ Evil looms. Cowboy up. Kill it. Get Paid.

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28th December 2011, 07:26 PM	#3
Jebem diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lisbon	Yap, stepped attenuators are the best choice if money is no object. But for the price and design of this preamp, I would use one ALPS Blue Velvet potentiometer, as it is adequate and is much cheaper than (good) stepped attenuators.

28th December 2011, 07:37 PM	#4
AdamThorne Rebel Samurai! diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN	Ebay has smd based stepped attenuators ~ $10. Chinese manufacture, I think. Log, stereo, 10K / 50k / 100k ohm. Are they any good? I have no idea.

28th December 2011, 10:29 PM	#5
dgta diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011	From the eBay ad for that preamp: "the kind of taste the feeling of gallbladder bile reflected most vividly, especially the night also highlighted its charming style." I gotta get me some

29th December 2011, 01:52 AM	#6
ihear21khz diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009	Cheap and good: Analog Metric Limited - DIY Audio Kit Check out their Dale resistor based stepped attenuator. These sound really good and pay the few bucks more they're asking to have the unit built for you. You'd have to be a brilliant solderer to build it better than they do. I have purchased from them and have had no issues.

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