2. amps-preamps
  3. 1290993478

Why no remote controlled discrete resistor volume?

I don't get it. It seems that Alps have the remote volume control market cornered. My understanding is that, in general, discrete resistor volume controls (stepped attenuators or relay activated resistors as used by NAT, AN Kits and others) are thought to provide the best sonics (detail, clarity, precision, etc.), followed by potentiometers and then chip controls. If this is true, why have none of the discrete resistor gang (Goldpoint, DACT, Seiden, TKD, etc.) come up with a direct competitor (or drop-in replacement) to the basic Alps remote motorized conductive plastic potentiometer volume control that can be purchased (motor and all) for about $35? These things show up in some highly reviewed preamps with prices approaching $10K and above. It just seems to me there should be better sonic options for remote controlled volume on preamps costing several thousand dollars and up. Why is it so hard to motorize a stepped attenuator? Just curious.
mitch2
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
Hello Folks

We do put a remote controlled motor on the DACT used in our preamps, involves a few sprockets and a DC motor - it works well - and in my opinion there is no substitute for the DACT as far as sound quality is concerned.

Thanks

Peter
nikki
57 posts
 
Blue Circle makes one as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17843311@N00/3768616815/in/set-72157619245521825/
mitch2 OP
4,021 posts
 
I had a DACT in the TEAD Vibe I used to own. I liked the sound of that preamp for solid state. Resolution was quite good, but I have heard better dynamics and better high frequencies.

Nikki, I am sure Gilbert's Blue Circle attenuator sounds outstanding, although installation could be a challange in most normal sized preamps. Thanks for the picture.
mitch2 OP
4,021 posts
 
Ralph, I was not clear. I was pointing out how manufacturers of very expensive preamps use a low cost $35 part for one of the most critical aspects of a preamp - the volume control. My experience indicates the volume control is important to the sonics, and that spending $300-$500 or so for a quality volume control is totally reasonable for a preamp costing $5K and up. Based on the posts above, it seems the options are available but the manufacturers using the less expensive pots either decide the benefit does not improve sonics, or that they can sell preamps without the more expensive (and better sounding) volume control and that the remote option is more important. Some like at Joule, indicate the volume control is "outside of the signal path" and that their use of a pot doesn't matter. I do not quite understand how that works.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,846 posts
 
Mitch2, your experience is correct. There is no way around the fact that you have to control the volume; the more revealing your system is the more you have to make sure that the volume control is not messing things up.

You can get the control outside of the signal path by having it control the gain of the circuit rather than the signal level getting to it, but by no means does this allow you to skimp on the control. Anyone who has heard the effects of good quality resistors will understand this.
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