Pre amp - Volume Change

[tiger0691]

My DIY Ganeda Pre Amp has Alps Volume.
To make better sound, I got a 24 Step Sellarz attenuator (Made in Korea).



This kind of assembled attenuator Kit. (it is not mine)

This is mine.

Inside of the attenuator

Opening Ganeda Pre Amp to change the volume.

Before and after. Apls is not at all small(it is a big size) but Sellarz is too big.

Ready to change but the attenuator is bigger than the space to place.

Old volume is retired.

Sound is better than before.
Bass part became more live and tight in less volume.

 

[Fantastic]

You meant that " Bass .. became more live and tight ..at lower.. volume. "

Are you sure ? Do you remember the original sound well with the same tracks you used now ? Did you use anyone else to crosscheck your result ?

I'm just checking because sometimes our minds can be 'very powerful' against ourselves ! But some users say that they feel the stepped pots do sound cleaner. Maybe it's time to try one having used the Blue and Black Alps !

Trust you were able to put back your main board.

Can't find Sellarz on Ebay. Where did you get it from ? Any web site you can name and any other user reviews you came across. Thanks.
Cheers.

 

[tiger0691]

You meant that " Bass .. became more live and tight ..at lower.. volume. "

Are you sure ? Do you remember the original sound well with the same tracks you used now ? Did you use anyone else to crosscheck your result ?

I'm just checking because sometimes our minds can be 'very powerful' against ourselves !

Trust you were able to put back your main board.
Cheers.

Yes!
I agree with you.
It could be a kind of placebo effect.
However the bass sound was vividly different.
It is pretty dynamic than before
Even I am to do some tuning of speakers(Bass portion with cotton) and speaker positioning.

In addition, all the volume has different color.
What I heard is that Alps volume gives little sharp sound and less bass.

Next time, I am going to remove the selector in pre-amp(direct connection)
for better sound.

 

[Fantastic]

Good idea about bypassing the selector. I've come across selector switches that do degrade the sound. Let's know what you find. Try to get company when you do it . You will have several extra pairs of ears to evaluate the change !

 

[IndianEars]

Tiger,

I 100% agree with you.

The Volume control DOES have a Major effect, and a stepped attenuator with fixed resistors is certainly a better solution :clapping::clapping::clapping:

Infact many Hi End Pre amps have shifted to LDRs ....

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a very neat and professionally done job. :yahoo:

 

[tiger0691]

Good idea about bypassing the selector. I've come across selector switches that do degrade the sound. Let's know what you find. Try to get company when you do it . You will have several extra pairs of ears to evaluate the change !

Thank you for supporting my plan to upgrade sound quality with no (less) budget.
Yes! I need many ears.

In fact, I wish to have a common audition room (or a music cafe) which anyone can come anytime to listen music.

 

[tiger0691]

You meant that " Bass .. became more live and tight ..at lower.. volume. "

Are you sure ? Do you remember the original sound well with the same tracks you used now ? Did you use anyone else to crosscheck your result ?

I'm just checking because sometimes our minds can be 'very powerful' against ourselves ! But some users say that they feel the stepped pots do sound cleaner. Maybe it's time to try one having used the Blue and Black Alps !

Trust you were able to put back your main board.

Can't find Sellarz on Ebay. Where did you get it from ? Any web site you can name and any other user reviews you came across. Thanks.
Cheers.

I got it from my friend.(Used one)

this is the seller website.

https://www.sellarz.co.kr:127/shopping/shopping-detail.php?pi=1815

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Most volume controls suffer from some channel imbalance, especially at low volumes. Getting rid of this, if possible, is a good upgrade in itself.

The thing that bothers me with "stepped" solutions, whether they are electronic or physical, is the one-step-too-quiet-next-step-too-loud experience. Also, in terms of my sensual relationship with my equipment I much prefer the smooth, continuous feeling. 24 doesn't seem very many steps from zero to full: tiger0691, are you comfortable with it in practice?

 

[tiger0691]

Most volume controls suffer from some channel imbalance, especially at low volumes. Getting rid of this, if possible, is a good upgrade in itself.

The thing that bothers me with "stepped" solutions, whether they are electronic or physical, is the one-step-too-quiet-next-step-too-loud experience. Also, in terms of my sensual relationship with my equipment I much prefer the smooth, continuous feeling. 24 doesn't seem very many steps from zero to full: tiger0691, are you comfortable with it in practice?

Now the option to select for me is to increase quality compromising with convenience.

As you mention, the feeling of Alps volume is better than step attenuator.

 

[tiger0691]

Tiger,

I 100% agree with you.

The Volume control DOES have a Major effect, and a stepped attenuator with fixed resistors is certainly a better solution :clapping::clapping::clapping:

Infact many Hi End Pre amps have shifted to LDRs ....

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a very neat and professionally done job. :yahoo:

Could you tell me some more information about LDR Volume.
One of my friend tried to put the LDR volume in his GoldMund Clone Pre-amp.
He says that LDR gives the best solution logically(?).

 

[sachu888]

Could you tell me some more information about LDR Volume.
One of my friend tried to put the LDR volume in his GoldMund Clone Pre-amp.
He says that LDR gives the best solution logically(?).

Indianears is right.I am using LDR volume control on DIY pass B1.I have tried many other volume pots,but LDR is clean http://www.hifivision.com/diy/21036-pass-b1-89.html

Regards,
Sachin

 

[IndianEars]

The LDR Volume countrol that is appreciated Sonically, uses Cadmium Sulphide as the LDR ( Light Dependent Resistor ). The resistance of the LDR is Very High ( 500K and above) in complete darkness and falls to a few hundred Ohms with a bright light on it.

There is Obviously No Sliding contact and no mechchanical movement.

The Light source can be a simple LED. Varying the Current Tru the LED and keeping the LED in a sealed enclosere facing the LDR makes a Volume control.

Google for "George LightSpeed"

George is from Australia and shared his discovery on diyaudio, with full plans for a build, even though he offered a commercial version, using an LDR + LED Integrated Circuit.

About 6 months later, Dart Zeel declared they had 'invented' a volume control using light and were going to patent it ...!!!

 

[keith_correa]

Old volume is retired.

@tiger0691 - If you are inclined to sell it - I would be interested in buying it. Please let me know.

 

[tiger0691]

@tiger0691 - If you are inclined to sell it - I would be interested in buying it. Please let me know.

I am sorry.
The alps volume is reserved for small digital amp.