Can someone please direct me to some good quality pots for my Acoustat DD Servo OTL amps. They're old and scratchy. I want to replace them with an upgrade. Right now they have Allen Bradley MOD POT 10kohm 1 turn. Don't know power rating but probably 1 watt? TIA
The power rating isn't too important for a volume control. If you use them near maximum,
a linear pot would be best.
Attenuators
Controls Potentiometers
030943 Allen Bradley potentiometer 15 kOhm, 2W Rotary 2022004122
a linear pot would be best.
Attenuators
Controls Potentiometers
030943 Allen Bradley potentiometer 15 kOhm, 2W Rotary 2022004122
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So what do you guys think about the "audiophile" grades like TDK for $100 bucks? So they go directly in the amps as level controls. Is there something to gain by spending this kind of $$?
Hard to tell.
Some say yes others no.
If you’re tempted, have a try.
I for one am very curious, but otoh am reluctant to pay so much for prefab parts.
I‘ll build some variations, like
Meldano‘s muses attenuator
Ladder attenuator
Sound-au.com’s „Better volume control“
Autoformer volume control
...
Some say yes others no.
If you’re tempted, have a try.
I for one am very curious, but otoh am reluctant to pay so much for prefab parts.
I‘ll build some variations, like
Meldano‘s muses attenuator
Ladder attenuator
Sound-au.com’s „Better volume control“
Autoformer volume control
...
Do you use them as semi-permanent adjustments, or routinely?
I would use a switched resistor array for the former.
Pots get worn by the wiper remaining in the same position for long times.
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I use a TKD /Leitplastik [2CP601 --> 20 €] since a couple of years, i love the rotational resistance and the synchronization deviation.
Specification: http://www.fk-industrie.de/downloads/cp601s.pdf
The better one is the 2CP2500SC --> 100 €
Specification: http://www.fk-industrie.de/downloads/cp2500s.pdf
I think the 2CP601 is sufficient
Specification: http://www.fk-industrie.de/downloads/cp601s.pdf
The better one is the 2CP2500SC --> 100 €
Specification: http://www.fk-industrie.de/downloads/cp2500s.pdf
I think the 2CP601 is sufficient
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With stuff like tdk, you can be sure to have a luxurious pot, with good parts.
If a selfmade pot would be better or not is a different question. They most probably won’t have that luxury flair...
If a selfmade pot would be better or not is a different question. They most probably won’t have that luxury flair...
I once replaced the crappy pot (CTS?) in my Dynaco PAS3 with an Alps "Black Velvet": the difference is NOT subtle. The TKD are supposed to be even better.
These are mono OTLs and need the pots to act as balance controls also since the gain of the amps changes slightly over time. So this way they can be matched perfectly.
TKD is rated for 100 000 revolutions minimal, Alps for 15 000. Many mechanical switched attinuators are rated for 10 000 ~ 20 000 revolutions plus you can hear when going from one position to another. The longevity alone makes it worthwhile. I will not use anything else. Previous used the 2CP-2511 but have gone to the 2CP-601, the minimal difference in performance are for me not worth the extra costs. Best place to buy them is from either Vietnam (the chap advertises on ePray but I get them directly from him, google is your friend) or from PartsConnexion (higher freight costs to New Zealand). No affiliation to either of them, just a happy user of TKD.
Make sure to get the TKD attenuator, not the potentiometer. (same model number....) Tracking is better on the attenuator. See my previous post on the subject.
Make sure to get the TKD attenuator, not the potentiometer. (same model number....) Tracking is better on the attenuator. See my previous post on the subject.
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Price difference?
Not subtle.
Quality of construction difference?
Not subtle.
**Sound** difference?
Doubt you or anybody else can tell in a double blind test.
In fact, I guess even measured performance will be exactly the same even under Lab testing, go figure.
Not subtle.
Quality of construction difference?
Not subtle.
**Sound** difference?
Doubt you or anybody else can tell in a double blind test.
In fact, I guess even measured performance will be exactly the same even under Lab testing, go figure.
Although construction difference between the 2CP-2511 and the 2CP-601 may be debatable both are rated for 100 000 and that is what matters most to me.
Then I would use a 10 to 12 position shorting switch, with 1% metal film resistors chosen
to have just enough range, and space the steps evenly, for example 1dB each for 10dB range.
Grayhill makes nice switches that are very reliable.
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hificollective did some comparisons where they compared Tocos Comos pots to the TDK's and others and preferred the Comos pots, they were looking for a replacement for the now unattainable Alps Black Beauty.
Although they discontinued selling the stereo pots as there was too much variation in channel matching with them, the monos aren't going to have this issue.
The pdf reviews are under the stereo Tocos Cosmos pots on hificollective site.
Tocos Cosmos Mono Potentiometers | Hifi Collective
Just another option.
Although they discontinued selling the stereo pots as there was too much variation in channel matching with them, the monos aren't going to have this issue.
The pdf reviews are under the stereo Tocos Cosmos pots on hificollective site.
Tocos Cosmos Mono Potentiometers | Hifi Collective
Just another option.
Any feed back on Bourns? They make high quality variable resistors for offset and bias. I found some nice looking volume pots. 82A1D-A24-BAO/186L and 3851A-282-103BL
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Is there any reason I could not use a dual pot for mono? I would of course use only one pad. I found replacements but they are stereo.