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

G · 16th August 2004, 01:11 PM

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 · 16th August 2004, 01:47 PM

Yes they are.

fdegrove · 16th August 2004, 09:55 PM

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 · 16th August 2004, 10:31 PM

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 · 16th August 2004, 10:54 PM

Hi,

SY,

Quote:

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 · 16th August 2004, 11:03 PM

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

fdegrove · 16th August 2004, 11:37 PM

Hi,

Quote:

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 · 17th August 2004, 01:42 AM

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 · 17th August 2004, 02:51 AM

hey Peter,
are you talking about the panasonic evj?

Will · 17th August 2004, 03:45 AM

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.

16th August 2004, 01:11 PM	#1
G diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Belleville, IL.	Alps pots vs. TKD pots? TKD worth the extra$$? 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? __________________ Gavin

16th August 2004, 09:55 PM	#3
fdegrove diyAudio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium	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, __________________ Frank

16th August 2004, 10:31 PM	#4
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicagoland Blog Entries: 1	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. __________________ If there's a sucker born every minute, where do the rest of them come from?

16th August 2004, 11:03 PM	#6
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicagoland Blog Entries: 1	Those are QUITE reasonably priced! Now, what do you do for a balance control? __________________ If there's a sucker born every minute, where do the rest of them come from?

17th August 2004, 01:42 AM	#8
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	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. __________________ 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


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16th August 2004, 01:47 PM	#2
jam diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Charlotte,NC,USA	Yes they are.

17th August 2004, 02:51 AM	#9
ss1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	hey Peter, are you talking about the panasonic evj?

17th August 2004, 03:45 AM	#10
Will diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Kuala Lumpur	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.

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