The problem is that very small amounts of oxidation or "gunk" on the switch contacts cause a detectable problem in very low level signals and this is an WORST place to be introducing noise, at the input of a preamplifier with 65dB of gain.
I think most toggle switches are designed for applications where tiny amounts of noise don't matter. Gold contacts would solve the oxidation problem and wiping type contacts are self cleaning. The other problem with many switches is "contact bounce" the contacts open and close for a few milliseconds and this sounds like static. So I'm looking for switches that don't have these problems and also don't cost $40 each.
I showed you one
but there are many other
easy to find
and cheap
or it does the opposite
but they will probably all last long enough
is any of it supposed to last forever anyway
but I would really only use toggle switches where really fast action/function is needed
Typical switch functions in a studio preamp are
1) Phantom power (on/off)
2) Phase, normal/reverse
3) Input impedance select
4) Pad, 0db,20dB
5) 80Hz low cut on,off
This is the kind of preamplifier used in a recording studio, not for playback.
Here is a short video that shows something like what I want to build.
A Designs MP2A Stereo Tube Mic Preamp Recording Acoustic Guitars - YouTube
I will repeat again:Only gold plated toggles are suitable for audio. I suggest you reading app. instructions of the switch manufacturers.
They are not so hard to find at reliable distributors, even locally at Kelco.
Good, branded toggles have good gold plating . Unlike rotary switches, toggles have no friction between contacts , so gold is not abraded during switching action. That is the reason why silver plating must be avoided in audio switching. Silver plated rotary and push switches are good for audio.
Gold flash toggle switches should also be avoided for audio. They are silver plated switches with extremely thin gold plating which purpose is to protect switch during storage. After the first switch action( in higher currents) gold is removed by current and switch behaves like ordinary silver plated toggle.
Gold plating should be two microns or more. I will repeat: pay more and avoid unbranded switches and connectors. All precious audio signals must travel across them, do not compromise.
Gold plating should be two microns or more. I will repeat: pay more and avoid unbranded switches and connectors. All precious audio signals must travel across them, do not compromise.
I saw a guitar lead with a fading mute button you could press while plugging in. It would fade between -infinity db and 0db in about 20 ms or however long it takes to press it in, spring loaded to release when the jack is inside the gat.
Knife or Blade switches are used to safely switch high voltage - Frankenstein style. They feel great. I imagine it maybe possible to make half the blade a restive material and the other half pure copper / silver / gold etc. As the switch is in motion it would rapidly fade out. When closed only insulator is touching. Would make a good pad not sure about A/B switch. Normally those spin 90 degrees or about nearly 180 up/down, with the middle horizontal position fully dis-connected (good for active / passive switch).
Also ensure the machining has plenty of rounded corners and few sharp edges. Sharp angles leak EMF, whereas sphere-like curves hold it in. To completely eliminate all clicks, you can make the switch a magnetic sensing remote control to a VCA controlled or transistor switch. This maybe the way to achieve fast fades between 0 and -20db etc. Not cheap.
Knife or Blade switches are used to safely switch high voltage - Frankenstein style. They feel great. I imagine it maybe possible to make half the blade a restive material and the other half pure copper / silver / gold etc. As the switch is in motion it would rapidly fade out. When closed only insulator is touching. Would make a good pad not sure about A/B switch. Normally those spin 90 degrees or about nearly 180 up/down, with the middle horizontal position fully dis-connected (good for active / passive switch).
Also ensure the machining has plenty of rounded corners and few sharp edges. Sharp angles leak EMF, whereas sphere-like curves hold it in. To completely eliminate all clicks, you can make the switch a magnetic sensing remote control to a VCA controlled or transistor switch. This maybe the way to achieve fast fades between 0 and -20db etc. Not cheap.
Sealed relays with bifurcated gold plated silver contacts almost never fail. Debatable but likely best audio quality too. Shortest signal path too as they can be mounted on a PCB very close to the RCA sockets. This will result in less wiring and less crosstalk.
But our reactions to a thread from 2013 will not be of influence I guess 🙂
But our reactions to a thread from 2013 will not be of influence I guess 🙂
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I don't think an "audio" switch is necessary, since all switches should be able to handle this. I have been using NKK toggles for over 15 years. Illuminated toggles too, look very nice. Some type have entire switch illuminated, other type just LED on the end. Never had a failure here in San Diego in humid conditions.
Illuminated Products - NKK Switches
Illuminated Products - NKK Switches
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Looking for most ultimate toggle switch
to switch between two phono inputs (select different both MM and MC cartridges) and to switch two resistors which determine the gain factor (NFB network, MM/MC mode) I want to have an appropriate toggle switch. For this applications such switches in general are not recommend. But what about with Mercury wetted contacts ?
https://www.mouser.de/datasheet/2/227/TELD_S_A0003589000_1-2577842.pdf
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/library/reed_relays.pdf
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/how-to-select-a-reed-relay.288689/
Exist such toggle switch contacts ?
What about this versions ?
https://www.mouser.de/datasheet/2/187/honeywell_microswitch_tw_toggle_datasheet_005431_3-1386659.pdf
https://sps.honeywell.com/de/de/pro...and-rocker-switches/toggle-switches/tw-series
to switch between two phono inputs (select different both MM and MC cartridges) and to switch two resistors which determine the gain factor (NFB network, MM/MC mode) I want to have an appropriate toggle switch. For this applications such switches in general are not recommend. But what about with Mercury wetted contacts ?
https://www.mouser.de/datasheet/2/227/TELD_S_A0003589000_1-2577842.pdf
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/library/reed_relays.pdf
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/how-to-select-a-reed-relay.288689/
Exist such toggle switch contacts ?
What about this versions ?
https://www.mouser.de/datasheet/2/187/honeywell_microswitch_tw_toggle_datasheet_005431_3-1386659.pdf
https://sps.honeywell.com/de/de/pro...and-rocker-switches/toggle-switches/tw-series
They are not recommended to switch the feedback network full stop. The quality of the switch will make very little if any difference to that.
I want to switch only an additional resistor from the inverted input to GND. In the "ON" position this additional resistor is in parallel operation with the exist, non switched resistor - R1 under
https://phonoclone.com/diy-pho2.html
The resistor R2 from out of OP-Amp to the inverted input should remain unchanged.
If only mediocre quality of contacts present, one will get hard noise and various unwanted sound effects in the "ON" position for MC. Therefore the question (actually no switch is to recommend at this position, but some commercial products like this Project phono preamp under
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/pro-ject’s-mmmc-phono-box-rs-chronic-overachiever
use toggle switch and many users have some issues while daily operation).