lorin vs alpha rotary switches

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mrphotodude

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Joined
Apr 19, 2008
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Haven't really used rotary switches other than for impedance selectors on amplifiers...
Getting ready to order some stuff to finish my green pre's and g-ssl...

i know the lorins are enclosed so dust and junk can't get in there..
but other than that..
is it a personal preference or really worth going for the lorins in quality?
also, shorting vs non shorting....
is it really going to make a big difference on low voltage apps like these?
 
I like the Alphas for their ruggedness, and used them in a G1176. Check out mnats' page about incorporating the "Nuke Mode" onto the ratio switch, he uses an Alpha and provides a nice closeup view.

RE: shorting vs non shorting....

It's a good idea to adhere to the design in this department. If you think a non-shorting (BBM or Break Before Make) will work in place of a shorting (MBB or Make Before Break), you must be able to ascertain what how the circuit will behave when that connection is broken and impedance goes from a fixed value, typically 10k ohms or less, to infinite.
 
I tried using the Alpha switches in a GSSL and ended up spending the extra money for the Lorins. The Alpha switches don't have a selectable number of positions and they don't fit on the control board easily. I was able to get the switches to mount to the control board with a bit of work. That said I bought some Alpha switches from Futurlec for $1 that I plan to use in my Green Pre.[/img]
 
[quote author="jrfred453"]I tried using the Alpha switches in a GSSL and ended up spending the extra money for the Lorins. The Alpha switches don't have a selectable number of positions and they don't fit on the control board easily. I was able to get the switches to mount to the control board with a bit of work. That said I bought some Alpha switches from Futurlec for $1 that I plan to use in my Green Pre.[/img][/quote]

The double pole 6 position Alpha solder-lug rotary that I used on an EQ recently had a position-limiting stop on it, just like the Lorlins. In fact, besides the color of the plastic body, I couldn't tell the difference between it and the Lorlins.

The 2 pole 12 position open frame Alphas, on the other hand, had no stop, but they still worked well for my application.
 
Maybe there are different alpha rotary switches models because I used some in GSSL and I found that the switches click feeling was loose, like cheap. The lorlin clicks on the contrary, feel solid like those "open frame" metalic switches
 
They look like the ones I used
I don't know, maybe mine came from a bad batch...
Anyway I will stick with Lorlin for my part
 

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