Goldpoint attenuators

[soundguy]

hey peeps, anyone ever use these?

wondering if there is a realistic difference between the series (mini v) and ladder (mini L) attenuators for monitoring? My console has a dual 10K pot on the master monitor and the tolerance on both sides isnt close at all, so I figured I'll replace it with something precise instead of another pot. I think I can only really fit the mini v and wanted to get some opinions if you guys have any. This is just for the monitor only.

thanks

dave

 

[chrissugar]

Hey Dave,

I use something almost identical to Goldpoint, based on the same ELMA series 04 switches. In my opinion for monitoring the series attenuator is very good , I use them every day for listening and mastering. The Ladder attenuator is a better option because the signal goes only through two resistors, but for me the diference do not justify the cost of a double waffer switch and two times the number of resistors. Also the diference in sound is extremely subtle (audiophile zone).
My attenuators with selected resistors produce a maximum 0.02dB diference of level at any position ( five ohm total diference between two 10k attenuators). Compare that with the best pots (tolerance5%) and you can see the diference is obvious. There is also the advantage that you can taylor the steps to your needs, and more important it is repeatable.

My sugestion is, buy a pair of ELMA 04 switches, calculate the resistors, buy them and solder them yourself. It will be much cheaper.

chrissugar

 

[chrissugar]

Just looked better to the prices.
Goldpoint sell the single waffer, 24 step, ELMA switch for 78$ without resistors. You can buy this switch for 25-30 Euros depending on country and distributor, and even with the not so favorable $/euro rate it is still half the price.

chrissugar

 

[NewYorkDave]

To replace your continuous dual pot, you need a stepped dual pot. Don't bother with those other configurations; those are for freaks who lose sleep over stupid **** like having more than one resistor in the signal path, etc. If you're buying ready-made, the Mini-V is the one you want. Ask for a stereo 10K model. It's essentially a direct upgrade and you can expect the same performance from your monitor section, only with better side-to-side tracking (and probably slightly lower noise).

If you wanna save a buck, and you have the time, just use the info on Goldpoint's DIY page to build your own.

 

[soundguy]

the noise is not so much a thing for me, its just the monitor circuit. Its the L/R tracking which is where Im concerned, I thought to replace the pot not because its noisy but because yesterday I noticed the tracking and realized Id now never know if both channels were the same volume, comforting, right?

getting an elma from europe works out to around $70 ish every place Ive tried by the time it gets shipped here. I dont have to do this for a while but when I can afford it, knowing I can just buy the thing built will be nice, Im am positively BURIED under a mountain of **** right now.

dave

 

[chrissugar]

Dave,

you don't have to buy from Europe. Elma has distributor in US.
Here are the US Headquarters:
http://www.elma.com/us/contact__support/
and this is the 04 series you need:
http://www.elma.com/us/products/rotary_components/Switches%20%26%20Encoders%20%3E%20Rotary%20Switches/6
Build a pair of attenuators and you will not regret it. As I said stereo tracking is excellent.

chrissugar

 

[soundguy]

wow, I wonder if that is new? The last time I looked (admittedly a while ago) there wasnt a US distributor and I had to buy from eurpoe. Thats really good to know for a variety of projects!

I gotta figure out the taper for a 10K switch, work on that over the weekend.

dave

 

[chrissugar]

Use this program to calculate the resistors.
http://homepages.tcp.co.uk/~nroberts/atten.html
Enter the attenuation you want at every step, the total resistance of the attenuator, and that's all.

chrissugar

 

[soundguy]

thanks for all the info! I should probably get some sleep before thinking aboutt this more, is there a calculator like that for calculating a series switch? I have to do a stereo control so would need a 4 bank switch for a ladder (right?) and dont have the room in the desk for a switch physically that big. I'll try to google tomorrow.

thanks again

dave

 

[chrissugar]

Don't build the ladder type, use this calculator for series switch. In the last row [at the right side] it calculates the resistors between each step.
Just use a dual wafer switch for stereo.

chrissugar

 

[DrFrankencopter]

Hey soundguy,

You can order Elma's from Percy Audio http://www.percyaudio.com/Catalog.pdf

Check out page 13 of their catalog. 24 posn single deck is $34. $60 for a two deck switch.

Shallco's are on the same page, $95 for a 45 posn

Cheers,

Kris

 

[NewYorkDave]

Don't make it more complicated than it has to be! Just buy a two-pole, 24-position shorting rotary and follow the schematic and parts list from Goldpoint. They've done all the math for you.

http://207.228.241.188/schm_ser.html

http://207.228.241.188/r_series.html

Last time I checked, you could buy directly from Elma in the US. I recall that a single-pole 24-position shorting rotary was about $21, so figure up to twice that for a two-pole switch.

 

[soundguy]

thanks for the help guys, much appreciated!

dave

 

[martthie_08]

Can someone tell me where I can get 24-position rotary switches (shorting) in Germany? Thanx...