Stepped Attenuators

[postjack]

Do you like stepped attenuators in your amps? I had one in my Corda HA-2 MKII SE which I've since sold, and find myself missing it. I never really had the problem of finding the "right" volume level that other listeners have. Right now, I think I will definitely have one in my next amp.

So, what is it for you?

[aerius]

I need the fine control of a standard pot, or failing that a stepped attenuator with somewhere between 70-100+ steps. Unfortunately, SA's with that many steps are rather large and ludicrously expensive.

[deepak]

I wasn't able to get fine control with a 24. I would probably need at least a 48.

[TheSloth]

I found the 24 steps ok in the HR amps but only if I was willing to adjust the gain to get a slightly different range (as the steps aren't even).

Sound wise, I find them to be significantly better, though I've never heard a pot better than the Blue Velvet. The RK-40 seems to have returned and looks to be a nice price/performance compromise.

[philodox]

I prefer steppers as I get used to listening at a certain step and can get everything setup perfect for each type of music. I find that 24 steps gives me enough range, but I can see how that would be a problem for some. When I move to the amp on my computer rig I find myself missing the clicks.

I am kind of getting sick of having two steppers though... so I might have ordered one of those sexy 4 channel singlepower stepped attenuators to put in my amp.

[n_maher]

It's hard, I've had them in a couple of my amps and definitely like them and certainly found that they sound better than your average alps blue but in the beta22 there was just wasn't enough range. Heck, listening to my HF-1s last night while reading I was at a half-click on my RK40 which is a detented continuous pot. They do tend to look the business though...

[thrice]

personally I prefer stepped attenuators and I've been fortunate in that I can always find a volume level I like...just lucky I guess.

[Salt Peanuts]

I like stepped attenuators, and I've had them in two amps I've owned in the past. However, one amp had 41 (or 43) steps, while the other one had 24 step one with 3-position gain switch.

[cotdt]

I bought a 24-step stepped attenuator but I dont' see any benefits to justify the price. 24 steps are not nearly enough for me, unless it's an amp where I can set the gain really low. I would much rather use a good potentiometer like a TKD. The pots "feel" better since the turning is much smoother than a stepped attenuator, which feel notchy. Pots are better and cheaper in my opinion, as long as it's a well-matched one using conductive plastic or film. The carbon pots degrade the sound and have shorter life spans.

[postjack]

I bought a 24-step stepped attenuator but I dont' see any benefits to justify the price. 24 steps are not nearly enough for me, unless it's an amp where I can set the gain really low. I would much rather use a good potentiometer like a TKD. The pots "feel" better since the turning is much smoother than a stepped attenuator, which feel notchy. Pots are better and cheaper in my opinion, as long as it's a well-matched one using conductive plastic or film. The carbon pots degrade the sound and have shorter life spans.

welcome to headcase!

[cotdt]

welcome to headcase!

spanks!

[Fing]

How about a Transformer Volume Control? eg. http://www.stevens-billington.co.uk/page102.htm

[Icarium]

the 45 step single power stepped attenuator is perfect for me. Almost too granular. The 24 step is worthless though.

[tkam]

How about a Transformer Volume Control? eg. http://www.stevens-billington.co.uk/page102.htm

Transformer Volume Control's are pretty much the best volume controls you can use, but they aren't practical in some applications just because of how big they are.

[darkless]

the 45 step single power stepped attenuator is perfect for me. Almost too granular. The 24 step is worthless though.

The standard 24-step Goldpoint SA that Singlepower used to use is indeed worthless (2.5 dB granularity at the most ). However, once you combine a multi-position gain switch (+-20 dB in 10 dB steps) with a custom progression (5, 3, 2, 18x 1.5, 2, 3, 5 dB) it'll do the trick.

[postjack]

i have absolutely no problems with my 24 point goldpoint SA.

no problems with the 24 point SA on my Dynahi.

Currently I am working on a radical new design: the 1 step attenuator. Its sissy proof. Basically you are either cranking it 100% or you ain't. werd up yall.

[deepak]

no problems with the 24 point SA on my Dynahi.

Currently I am working on a radical new design: the 1 step attenuator. Its sissy proof. Basically you are either cranking it 100% or you ain't. werd up yall.

House party edition stepper. I like.

[JBLoudG20]

ROFL

[jinp6301]

no problems with the 24 point SA on my Dynahi.

Currently I am working on a radical new design: the 1 step attenuator. Its sissy proof. Basically you are either cranking it 100% or you ain't. werd up yall.

im in for 200, i'm gonna replace all my pots and pans with that shit.

[philodox]

i have absolutely no problems with my 24 point goldpoint SA.

Neither do I, my 24 step singlepower stepped attenuator is great.

[Icarium]

It really sucks on my ES-1 I cannot get the granularity that I like and there's a HUGE jump between steps 3/4.

[Marconisalad]

The 24 step Gold Point was not working out for me. Sent it back to Singlepower. Mikhail swapped it out with one curved for my equipment and listening preferences. Great now!

[Nanoha]

i really like the 100 step (-1 DB per step) volume control on my Capitole

Wow. 100 step? Seriously awesome. I wonder how much that would cost for a DIY project.

[n_maher]

I can't remember how many steps the Wadia has, but it's plenty.

[philodox]

Is it a digital stepper in the Capitole? Or do they have one of those Joshua tree types where it is a pot controlling the steps? I doubt there is a 100 position switch in there, but if there is, I'm impressed.