Which stepped attenuator?

nut

Wammer
Wammer
Oct 26, 2014
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Phil
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I have a rose rv23 preamp from the 80s that i want to get refreshed.
It souns very nice, and has a good reputation.

I'm toying with the idea of putting in a stepped attenuator.
Probably a 47 step, as i could do with the extra control on limited range of the knob.

Reccomendations?

Is it daft to be looking at goldpoint, glasshouse, etc up tp £300 delivered?
Overkill or is it going to be an eye opening difference?

Thanks
 
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pmcuk

Wammer
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Sep 12, 2015
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Reviving this thread to look at options.... Please input your experiences and tips!

You ideally want a ladder type stepped attenuator. Not shunt and I would say not series. Although if you use it close to max volume series might be an OK choice.

Something like 50K probably

https://allo.com/sparky/stepped-attenuator.html Looks good, cheap too - surface mount resistors.
"I have used several of these - 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."
"Received the EIZZ attenuator and 6-24 switches from ali.. Really pleased. EIZZ is smooth and high quality with 0.1% tolerance between channels. impressive! no play in the shaft"
EIZZ look to be series to me https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/comp...udio-attenuator-24-steps-100k-log-p-9884.html

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162607061731?var=461608939486 £105 Czechia. Could be good - surface mount resistors. I enquired if it was ladder or what.

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/ca...er-type-stepped-attenuator-stereo-p-6119.html £118+. Standard metal film resistors.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274302792952 Good value £70 China

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334505161017?var=543543717479 £46 China - had one, worked but tricky to connect to.
 

JamieMcC

Wammer
Wammer
Aug 25, 2013
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A few options here if you have room for pcb & through hole mounting. I've used the A5 a 36 step budget version using Vishay RN60 & RN55 couple of times. In fact was using one today ten years in still working well but the switches used don't have the nicest of click feel when operating and I think the switch contacts are silver and if not regularly used can tarnish and you will get a bit of noise when first using again but this disappears with a bit of rotating backwards and forwards a few times.

https://glass-ware.stores.turbify.net/atandsise.html

It's possible to DIY your own using two high quality switches Elma 01-1263 Rotary Switch 2 Pole 6 Position Panel Mount £25.50 each for a nicer clickitty click knob feel.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264270632273?var=563971971410
 

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