Posted by richardcooper2k (A) on March 21, 2007 at 12:47:37

In Reply to: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by DougE on March 21, 2007 at 10:59:19:

hi doug

i've not tryed a stepped att. but another alternative is to do a shunt pot mod

here you put a single resistor (whatever your fav type is) in the signal path of about 90% of the value of your pot. you connect the pot between the signal and earth. so then you have no switch contacts in the signal path ! sound too good and simple to be true ? well, your max volume is reduced and source and input impedance are affected but wether these would be a problem would depend on your set up. i gather people have had very good results with this. maybe there's others out there with experience who'd like to comment ?

i haven't tried this yet but am currently building an AN pre amp and intend to try this out

regards
richard

• shunt pot volume control   (Open in New Window)

• Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? - gsimon 02:43:02 03/22/07 (5)
  In Reply to: Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by richardcooper2k on March 21, 2007 at 12:47:37:

  Hi Doug and Richard,
  I do not like stepped attenuators (not pleasant !).
  I have tried shunt pot mod on another preamp with cheaper pot and it works fine. On my M3 I did not try it because I am satisfied of the
  TKD and I did not want to have volume limitation and impedance changes
  but you can try it on your preamp it is very easy to do.
  Gilbert
  
  

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  • Shunt mod is a waste of time.. - ABliss 11:56:03 03/22/07 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by gsimon on March 22, 2007 at 02:43:02:

    I have done it on a AES DJH Sig. with Caddock resisters, and all it does is reduce the volume by a few dbs. It still doesn't make the pot as useable as a 24 step attenuator. Plus the precision and sound quality of the attenuator is superior.

    AB.
    
    

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  • Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? - DougE 10:15:19 03/22/07 (3)
    In Reply to: Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by gsimon on March 22, 2007 at 02:43:02:

    Gilbert and Richard, thanks for your responses. The shunt pot mod intriques me, and I may try that before going forward with any other changes. Richard, have you tried the AN tantalum resistor in this position to hear it's impact?

    Gilbert, what did you find unpleasant about stepped attenuators? Was it operational, sonic, or ?

    Thanks again for your replys,
    Doug
    
    

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    • Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? - richardcooper2k 16:23:55 11/03/08 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by DougE on March 22, 2007 at 10:15:19

      well i finally got round to replacing the metal film resistors i had used in the shunt pot mod with AN tants
      
      was surprised to notice a big difference for changing one resistor. much less nasty top and much more lovely midrange and bass tone
      
      

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    • Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? - gsimon 04:01:03 03/26/07 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by DougE on March 22, 2007 at 10:15:19:

      No it's just a matter of precision between 2 steps and
      less pleasant to operate.
      
      
      

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    • Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? - richardcooper2k 06:59:20 03/23/07 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: Stepped attenuators - anyone tried the Audio Note? posted by DougE on March 22, 2007 at 10:15:19:

      whoops sorry. i posted a reply and its gone in higher up the thread
      
      

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