I'm trying to gather details on all available stepped attenuators. Anything and everything that's available, off the shelf premade, kits, diy, parts to make one
The obvious choices like DACT, Goldpoint and some others are I'm certain very good, but considering the cost and that I'll need several units over time I'm hoping for a less expensive solution. I was ready to purchase 2 Goldpoint blank units but stopped. Maybe something for under $80USD is possible? Thanks!
1) 24 Steps or more
2) 2 decks
3) If premade 20-25K ohms, 5K Linear, 100K linear for one design
4) I'll accommodate any size
The obvious choices like DACT, Goldpoint and some others are I'm certain very good, but considering the cost and that I'll need several units over time I'm hoping for a less expensive solution. I was ready to purchase 2 Goldpoint blank units but stopped. Maybe something for under $80USD is possible? Thanks!
1) 24 Steps or more
2) 2 decks
3) If premade 20-25K ohms, 5K Linear, 100K linear for one design
4) I'll accommodate any size
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Hi,
It is abit short as description: how many steps, wafers,...?
Up to 12 step 1 row/deck Lorlin are fine.
If you need more steps then:
https://en.uraltone.com/electronic-components/switches/rotary-switches/rotary-switch-2x24.html
You can find them on ebay, alibaba,...
They exist in 1 to 4 wafers/decks in 24steps and 12 steps. They are ok but there is no stop pins if you want lower count than 24 steps. I've already moded some however ( i needed 23 steps), with a bit thinking it can be done...
They do not feel like Elma but they lasted without issue for more than ten years in some built i've done ( Passive Eq, preamp gain, attenuators). I found only MBB for this one. Maybe they exist as BBM idk?
If they are too bulky, some wafer for smd resistors can be bought from diy guys if needed.
It is abit short as description: how many steps, wafers,...?
Up to 12 step 1 row/deck Lorlin are fine.
If you need more steps then:
https://en.uraltone.com/electronic-components/switches/rotary-switches/rotary-switch-2x24.html
You can find them on ebay, alibaba,...
They exist in 1 to 4 wafers/decks in 24steps and 12 steps. They are ok but there is no stop pins if you want lower count than 24 steps. I've already moded some however ( i needed 23 steps), with a bit thinking it can be done...
They do not feel like Elma but they lasted without issue for more than ten years in some built i've done ( Passive Eq, preamp gain, attenuators). I found only MBB for this one. Maybe they exist as BBM idk?
If they are too bulky, some wafer for smd resistors can be bought from diy guys if needed.
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Excellent krivium, thank you!
I'm ordering 2 from Ali right now and looking forward to trying them out!
no problem with any size
I'm ordering 2 from Ali right now and looking forward to trying them out!
no problem with any size
The Goldpoint attenuators are a very nice, high-quality product. Their shipping prices to Canada are idiotic...
Please note that 24 steps is the absolute minmum and often just a nuisance compared to simple potentiometers.
Likely more of a nuisance as mentioned.. What about 5% tolerance continuous potentiometer? Probably not possible to manufacture!
I will try out the ali 2-24 switch. likely end up with a 47 step Goldpoint later.
I will try out the ali 2-24 switch. likely end up with a 47 step Goldpoint later.
If you hear 5% tolerance that would be a show stopper indeed. Lack of steps in the critical listening region is quite annoying. Either too low volume or slightly too loud if you know what I mean 🙂
The problem with the step attenuator is knowing the maximum attenuation you would need. Usually, they are with -60dB at the min level. I prefer it can get down below -70dB. That's why I assemble it myself with use of different set of resistors that suit my system.
I had a stepped only one time, twenty years ago or more. a cheap one from ebay. the lack of steps was annoying. after about a year it made a noise as if the contacts were becoming loose inside. that was the end of steps for me but the switch was poor quality obviously.
I ran an diy integrated for a while with 2 single 20% potentiometers mounted 6 inches apart. I used acoustic measurements to match the 2 channels and measure the resistance of the pots.🙄
A nuisance but imaging was amazing.
I ran an diy integrated for a while with 2 single 20% potentiometers mounted 6 inches apart. I used acoustic measurements to match the 2 channels and measure the resistance of the pots.🙄
A nuisance but imaging was amazing.
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https://www.aliexpress.com/item/328...257089488!sea!IE!0&curPageLogUid=GgidCNCBesDI
These are pretty good, they have good quality switching inside, but resistors are carbon film as far as I remember. About 55USD plus shipping.
These are pretty good, they have good quality switching inside, but resistors are carbon film as far as I remember. About 55USD plus shipping.
Attachments
This one is being recommended :
https://allo.com/sparky/stepped-attenuator.html
and this (or similar) may be good too:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/194765086327
https://allo.com/sparky/stepped-attenuator.html
and this (or similar) may be good too:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/194765086327
I have used several of the ones linked by @myleftear before - apart from one faulty one years ago, all are still in service and still working. They are 21 steps rather than 24, but I think they are better sounding than the ones that have the through hole resistors on the outside of the switch body. The EIZZ ones are better construction, and are more transparent, but are also dearer. Eizz are also a bigger mounting hole, which might be a consideration if you have a chassis with a hole drilled already.
Yes same experiences with the second recommended type as well. Not enough steps in practical use IMO. On can pull a trick here and there with a switch but 48 steps is heaven and too expensive so that is the moment one starts using NJM1194 😉
Had a few Khozmo types and liked them a lot but prices of remote controllable versions are now a bit overwhelming as they sometimes cost more than a complete device they are meant to be used in.
Had a few Khozmo types and liked them a lot but prices of remote controllable versions are now a bit overwhelming as they sometimes cost more than a complete device they are meant to be used in.
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It's only 21 step, but these are best bang for buck out there.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dk...=recall_filtering&_ssn=lasercollection&_oac=1
Eizz is fine too.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dk...=recall_filtering&_ssn=lasercollection&_oac=1
Eizz is fine too.
You might find this interesting
6 * 6 * 6 steps of attenuation, or 216 steps.
https://www.tubecad.com/2014/02/blog0279.htm
6 * 6 * 6 steps of attenuation, or 216 steps.
https://www.tubecad.com/2014/02/blog0279.htm
Good info here, thank you!
The volume control chip would be the ideal if audibly transparent.
I was considering multi knobs to support something similar to unit in post 18 but my final faceplate designs and aesthetic is for one rotary knob.
Any inside view of the EIZZ? better constructed sound appealing as mentioned by woodturner-fran. I'm thinking of trying one of these as a little pricey.
The Dact style from Ebay - I will order a few of these. perfect price point to get things working and upgrade later if necessary.
The volume control chip would be the ideal if audibly transparent.
I was considering multi knobs to support something similar to unit in post 18 but my final faceplate designs and aesthetic is for one rotary knob.
Any inside view of the EIZZ? better constructed sound appealing as mentioned by woodturner-fran. I'm thinking of trying one of these as a little pricey.
The Dact style from Ebay - I will order a few of these. perfect price point to get things working and upgrade later if necessary.
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