RE: Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle. - mitch2 - Amp/Preamp Asylum

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RE: Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle.

In Reply to: RE: Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle. posted by BRab on April 20, 2016 at 12:37:41:

You are comparing a transformer (autoformer) volume attenuator to a resistor-based volume attenuator. Sort of apples to oranges except that they both attenuate volume. I believe TKD made both resistor-based attenuators as well as potentiometers, which are a different device and generally thought to be inferior sonically to a discrete resistor based control. Do you know whether yours is a potentiometer or resistor based control?

For the resistor volume attenuator, the switch itself, whether TKD, Khozmo or other types is basically a means to make contact with discrete resistors. The biggest sonic difference will be the type of resistors used. The other thing that may have a smaller effect on the sound is the quality of construction and materials used in the contacts (e.g., silver or gold plating over a base metal). Otherwise, what makes one attenuator better than another are the ergonomics (how it feels when used) and durability.

My preamp has a Shallco switch with Audio Note Tantalum Resistors and sonically it beats both Goldpoint and Endler switches I also have here, although the comparison is not fair since the Shallco is part of a no-gain buffered preamp and the others are simply volume attenuators. I owned a Tom Evans Vibe that used a DACT attenuator (which uses SMDs same as the Goldpoint) and that preamp sounded outstanding, although not as good as my current preamp. The easiest thing might be to try a Goldpoint attenuator or find somewhere to buy the TKD attenuator, not the potentiometer.

Below is a link to a site showing many types of volume controls.

DIY site - volume controls (Open in New Window)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - TKD based finished passive preamp - BRab 08:45:38 04/17/16 (11)

RE: TKD based finished passive preamp - TubeDriver 11:27:43 04/25/16 (0)

RE: TKD based finished passive preamp - TGT 13:41:08 04/23/16 (0)

Is this the preamp you are talking about - airtime 08:39:20 04/18/16 (7)

RE: Is this the preamp you are talking about - Blackdog 18:17:40 04/18/16 (6)

RE: Is this the preamp you are talking about - BRab 06:34:10 04/20/16 (5)

Very interesting. Thanks Nt - Frihed89 08:09:35 04/20/16 (0)

Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle. - Rick W 06:47:36 04/20/16 (3)

RE: Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle. - BRab 12:37:41 04/20/16 (2)

RE: Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle. - mitch2 09:50:24 04/26/16 (0)

Thanks. nt - Rick W 20:11:40 04/24/16 (0)

RE: TKD based finished passive preamp - Frihed89 13:50:11 04/17/16 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Curious, please elaborate about TKG vs. Slagle. - mitch2 09:50:24 04/26/16 (0)

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