Alps pots vs. TKD pots? TKD worth the extra$$?

[G]

Hi All,

I had planned on using TKD pots in my preamp project but I'm wondering if they are worth the extra green when compared to Alps pots. Any opinions?

 

[jam]

Yes they are.

 

[fdegrove]

Hi,

The panasonic pots are said to be better sounding than the ALPS as well.
Never heard the TDKs so I can't tell. The ALPS are definetely "plasticky" sounding much like a soso polyester cap.

Cheers,

 

[SY]

Frank, which Alps pots are you referring to? Black Beauties? If so, I've never detected any sort of plastic sound to them, at least not in comparison to stepped attenuators.

 

[fdegrove]

Hi,

SY,

Frank, which Alps pots are you referring to? Black Beauties?

I was referring to the more common blue ones...Blue Velvet?? Something like that...
The Black Beauties I have no experience with but if you really want the best potmeter than you should consider one of these real "beauties":

THEL 2CP-2500

Cheers,

 

[SY]

Those are QUITE reasonably priced! Now, what do you do for a balance control?

 

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Now, what do you do for a balance control?

Hmmm....You're not going to find this very helpful:

I don't ever use a balance control as I never found any need for it.
Besides, in case you hadn't noticed yet, I'm one of those freaky guys that actually use DUAL MONO volume controls....

Those separate L/R channel controls can be set quite easily and accurately once you get the hang of it...

I really wouldn't want to have it any other way: no risk of crosstalk through proximity and in the case of pots_notorious for their not so great interchannel tracking_you can easily set channels by ear if your preamp is in the same axis as the listening position.
You also have one less set of solder contacts and wiper in the direct signal path, never a bad thing to have.

Other than that good cermet film pots is what I'd usually recommend.
The Sfernice (probably part of the Vishay Group nowadays) P10 and P11 series have a very good rep in law faking linears apps but I'm not sure that range goes up to the 50K you're probably looking for.

Cheers,

 

[Peter Daniel]

I was testing Panasonic pots again today. Comparing to Nobels they sound more musical and natural (Nobels are more forward).

However, comparing Panasonic to no pot at all, shows clearly that Panasonic pot cuts off highs a bit, otherwise it would be pretty good sounding overall.

 

[ss1]

hey Peter,
are you talking about the panasonic evj?

 

[Will]

If you're referring to this TKD pot (see bottom page)

http://www.octave-electronics.com/hifimain.shtml

which is essentially a series stepped attenuator, then they are miles ahead of the "alps blue" in terms of channel balance and transparency.


regards,
will.

 

[Peter Daniel]

hey Peter,
are you talking about the panasonic evj?

I'm talking about Panasonics from this link http://www.thel-audioworld.de/bauteile/regler/Potis.htm

 

[Variac]

I think I'm going back to Frank's camp. I used to use a passive with one knob for each channel and hated it for the hassle.

Now on my gainclone I have an alps stereo pot (not their fanciest) driving my Basszillas. The speakers are so efficient that for normal listening the pot is only turned about 4 mm and of course that's the part that tracks the worst. (maybe they are linear pots? ) I'm going crazy listening to everything off to the port or starboard.

The solution IMHO is a dual pot with inner and outer shafts concentric.You would also need thin knobs of the same diameter but different shaft sizes. For normal use you just grab both knobs and turn. To adjust, just turn one.