Best mil-spec pots?

[Shattersignal]

HI there!  What are the best potentiometers on the market for audio?  I need to spec a single turn, audio-tapered 100k and I'd love something with a mil-spec, I'm thinking.  Run-of-the-mill $3 carbon trace pots seem to not offer as much accuracy and dependability as I would like.  Mouser only seems to offer one really nice audio taper single turn pot in this value.  Is there a specific supplier that I should check out that has more to offer in this specific department?

Also, what is your opinion of conductive plastic vs carbon trace in terms of accuracy and dependability?

Thanks a ton for sharing your thoughts, if you feel like you have something to offer!

Cheers. 

 

[Bo Deadly]

Even cheap pots today are probably better than the best pots from the golden age of analog. I use RD901F-40 and P0915N which are ~$1.29 USD and they've work just fine so far. I don't know how accurate they are but for most things it doesn't matter.

 

[gyraf]

I like Alps RK27 series..

 

[alexc]

Alps pots here too - especially for stacked deck applications, like stereo and such, where the variation across the decks is quite minimal.

Apart from Alps Japan pots, I use CTS alot - the nice big ones with the gold colored shafts - my preferred general usage pot, particularly in my amps qand preamps.

I like a stiff pot with a lot of resistance and also as mechanically sealed as possible for longevity - nothing cankers up yer pot quicker than schmutz ingress 

 

[Newmarket]

HI there!  What are the best potentiometers on the market for audio?  I need to spec a single turn, audio-tapered 100k and I'd love something with a mil-spec, I'm thinking.  Run-of-the-mill $3 carbon trace pots seem to not offer as much accuracy and dependability as I would like.  Mouser only seems to offer one really nice audio taper single turn pot in this value.  Is there a specific supplier that I should check out that has more to offer in this specific department?

Also, what is your opinion of conductive plastic vs carbon trace in terms of accuracy and dependability?

Thanks a ton for sharing your thoughts, if you feel like you have something to offer!

Cheers.

'mil spec' doesn't really mean much in terms of audio taper pots. All non linear tapers are significantly less accurate than linear tapers especially at higher attenuation settings.  Are you  looking for dual gang accuracy ?
Conductive Plastic has greater reliability for longer than carbon track pots. Alps etc as others have mentioned. Also P&G if you have deep pockets

 

[mutterd]

I like Alps RK27 series..

Me too - and know that I say that with boxes and boxes of NOS Rv4 style pots from Allen Bradly, Clarostat and PEC under my workbench...

The last mixer I made I used all NOS 10% Allen Bradly duals for pan pots and stereo masters and regretted it as soon as I put it into service. No two were the same, or even close - the centres were way off channel to channel, and I ran into center shift with the stereo masters...

For my money - in a 6mm/0.25” shaft pot there is nothing better than the Alps RK27 for consistency and for sound - for an 1/8” I’ll still use an Rv6 and PEC makes a good product (which I believe still has a mil spec seal).

 

[Shattersignal]

Thanks a ton, everyone!  I'll definitely check out those Alps pots.  The price seems workable for my build--I'll give them a try!

Very helpful suggestions and info from everyone   Cheers!

 

[Shattersignal]

For those Alps RK27 lovers here, do they come with a shaft that shorter than 20mm?  That seems to be the shortest shaft on offer at Mouser.  I'll keep hunting for one that has a standard (aprox. 1/2") length shaft--that would be ideal for my uses. 

Thanks again!  If anyone knows about a shorter shaft RK27, I'd appreciate hearing about it. 

Cheers!

 

[mutterd]

I think I’ve always had to trim them.

It’s easy, I completely wrap them in low stick painters tape all around the body to seal them a bit ( so no metal filings get on the track), then hit it with a hack saw or a dremel...

I had been getting mine from family gate in germany but a friend has been trying to get some recently and I guess they haven’t been responsive so I’m not sure what’s going on there...

 

[Shattersignal]

I think I’ve always had to trim them.

Okay cool.  I can give that a try.  It seems like there might be a pretty good risk of damaging the delicate track, though, right?  How paranoid should I be while sawing, haha?  Thanks a ton!

Also, does this look like an authentic Alps pot, here on Ebay??  It's a great price, if it's not counterfeit.  It's quite a bit cheaper than Mouser. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japan-ALPS-RK27-100KAX2-LOG-Stereo-Volume-Potentiometer-Dual-100K-Slotted-Shaft-/320816794126?hash=item4ab22bca0e:gy0AAOSwN6JY-JG3

 

[mrclunk]

I'd say fake.. Lots about.
I get mine from Reichelt Germany.  Good prices and service.
https://www.reichelt.de/6mm-Pots-stereo/RK27112-LOG10K/3/index.html

 

[Shattersignal]

I'd say fake.. Lots about.
I get mine from Reichelt Germany.  Good prices and service.
https://www.reichelt.de/6mm-Pots-stereo/RK27112-LOG10K/3/index.html

Is it widely known that there are fake Alps pots in circulation?  May I ask what info you have that leads you to the conclusion that these are fake?  if there's a good reason to suspect that, I think lots of folks (including Ebay) ought to have it reported.  Please be as specific as possible--seems like a serious matter if that is indeed the case! 

Thanks for your input!!

 

[Shattersignal]

I see now that there's a lot of chatter about fake Alps pots from China.  Man, that's a bummer.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

 

[Shattersignal]

I see now that there's a lot of chatter about fake Alps pots from China.  Man, that's a bummer.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

There seem to be three key identifying features that distinguish between fakes and real Alps pots:

1) the fonts may be different and the text may be simply wrong,

2) real Alps pots always use nickel screws on the back cover, and

3) the wiper contacts on the real Alps pots are eight-pronged, silvered, and are very lightly sprung.  The fakes seem to use a three-pronged wiper with more tension, and also a narrower conductive trace. 

I already ordered before realizing the risk.  I'll report back about their apparent authenticity once they arrive and I get to inspect and test them. 

 

[Shattersignal]

The pots arrived.  They seem genuine in every way, given all the criteria I listed above.  I'm quite pleased.