Potentiometer Overview - Alps, Penny+Giles, TKD and Vishay and more, what's your fav?

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#104
Shunt?

manp111 said:
What do you guys think of this stepped attenuator on ebay:

33 Step 100K Volume Control DACT ELMA TKD 2A3 300B tube - eBay (item 150539240706 end time Jan-01-11 20:17:34 PST)

Has anyone tried this unit?
It look a lot like the Seiden unit.
Click to expand...
They say it is a 100k ladder type but it only has two decks and requires a fixed 20k series resistor? I think it is a 20k switched shunt type which is only suitable to precede an active stage of 100k input impedance or higher with minimal cable in between. 1.2db per step is too close and only gives a total of 40db of range. I have 2db per step attenuators and if I am going to get up to change the volume, I usually end up changing in 4db increments unless I am doing level matched comparisons between components.
 
#108
Rotary Switch to Trigger I/O function as well as input select?

Hello, I was wondering if a rotary select for input switching could also function as an I/O for say a phono preamp. Like, 3 inputs cd/aux/phono but the phono also connects the mains to the phono preamp? Can this be done with a three deck rotary?
 
#110
glen65 said:
Thanks for the reply,

Its definitely a balance control because that's where I pulled it from.
You're correct it is an Alps control. I'm looking for something to replace
it because it's open. Ive seen some other controls that could work physically
but the resistance is only 10K. Its being used in a receiver where the preamp
consists of a 4558 op amp. If I cant find something with a high enough
resistance I guess my only other alternative would be to find out if the
circuit could be reconfigured to use something with a different resistance
value.
Click to expand...
Please let me know the model and brand of the amplifier, where this ALPS balance potentiometer is in use. I am interesting on the circuit topology, bacause I have never seen before for balance adjust such a pot with four instead commonly three pins.
 
#111
sharpi31 said:
Someone else on this forum recommended these minature stepped attenuators. I bought one and the performance and tracking are superb. They are also tiny and very inexpensive:

SMT Resistor Step Attenuator 50K Volume Control on eBay (end time 14-Nov-09 19:31:05 GMT)

I'd never buy a pot given the number of high quality low cost stepped attenuators on ebay ;-)
Click to expand...

I bought a couple for a project, and no complaints given the price. Like you say they seem to track the same on each side.
 
#116
#118
Looking at the difference between:
SMT Resistor 100K Step Attenuator Volume Control Alps | eBay

And:
SMT Resistor Step Attenuator 100K Volume Control | eBay

Browsing through the other attenuators from the seller (tube_buyer) it seems like the difference between the alps/non alps versions is: alps = 1% tolerance on resistors, non alps = not specified tolerance.

The OptiVol from SKA sponsored Audio Forum - Products has not been mentioned yet? 32AUD for complete diy version (includes matched LDR's), 42AUD for finished version.

Forgot if the Marchand attenuators have been mentioned here before, but here it is:
audio stepped attenuator, precision audio volume control, remote control volume attenuator
The interesting versions are the 46 step stereo at 500$, and the 24 step stereo at 180$

Also found this 23 step attenuator for 53 ozziemoney (AUD):
DIY Fidelity

Not sure if this has been posted before, 41 step 1.5db stereo ladder or series, se or balanced:
acoustic-dimension attenuators

Also wondering about remote controlled attenuators, are there any reasonably priced non-chip based versions about?

Tentlabs solution at 200€:
TentlabsShop

Very interesting 2 source selection, 128step 0.5db step kit called 8th Note:
8th note - Stepped attenuator details page
Costs 150€ for the balanced version, plus worldwide insured shipping at 40€, so 190€ total, have some trouble finding any sort of buy button for the single ended version. So may have to inquire about pricing for that.

Tortuga audio have this ldr based board for sale at 249$ + shipping:
LDR3x DIY Preamp Controller Board | Tortuga Audio
Review by 6moons on one of their ldr pre amps:
6moons audio reviews: Tortuga Audio LDR6


So far the 8th note kit seems best value for money for remote controlled stuff(?)
Hard to beat the OptiVol for price/performance(?)
 
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