Some general noob questions

[jyc]

Hello people and experts!

I started a Dual MNATS 1176 Rev J a while ago but never got around to finishing it.  I"ve soldered all bits and pieces and I have a few very amateur questions:

Which brand of potentiometers and switches are good quality?  And where can I get hold of them?

Where can I get a signal generator that will generate a balanced sine tone to 0.775V RMS?  (Some link would be nice.)

Is there one place online where I could get everything? 

This may sound very noobish.  But I think I tried mouser and rs, and some of the stuff they won't ship to Hong Kong, nor do I know what is a GOOD one.

Thanks!

Jyc

 

[rob_gould]

Hello people and experts!

I started a Dual MNATS 1176 Rev J a while ago but never got around to finishing it.  I"ve soldered all bits and pieces and I have a few very amateur questions:

Which brand of potentiometers and switches are good quality?  And where can I get hold of them?

Where can I get a signal generator that will generate a balanced sine tone to 0.775V RMS?  (Some link would be nice.)

Is there one place online where I could get everything? 

This may sound very noobish.  But I think I tried mouser and rs, and some of the stuff they won't ship to Hong Kong, nor do I know what is a GOOD one.

Thanks!

Jyc

I don't know where will ship components to Hong Kohg, but your DAW will work perfectly as a signal generator, presuming you've got a multimeter to measure the signal comig out of your soundcard to ensure it is. 775V.  No need for a dedicated signal generator for yiur first project imo.

Rob

 

[jyc]

Thanks.  Do I measure 0.775V between + and - or between + and ground?

Jyc

 

[Meathands]

Surely there is a brick and mortar electronics market in Hong Kong? I have been to markets in Seoul and Tokyo that had pots from Bourns, Alps, etc. which are of good quality.

Otherwise, I'm making a Mouser order today. I don't mind adding some pots to my order and shipping them too you--I know how hard sourcing parts can be in your second language.

 

[rob_gould]

Thanks.  Do I measure 0.775V between + and - or between + and ground?

Jyc

No probs

Between + and - (pin 2 & 3)

Rob

 

[rob61]

I've seen 0db referenced to 1.228 volts A/C, and I've seen it referenced to .775 volts A/C. With my true RMS Fluke meter, when aligning an 1176, do I use 1.228 or 0.775?

 

[RuudNL]

0.775 V is the 'old' 0 dBm (1 mW in 600 ohms)
1.23 V is the reference level for +4 dBv

 

[rob61]

Thank you for your reply. Certainly my modern equipment here is balanced +4.  I'm aligning the original 1176 "F" to use with my other equipment, is it best to align using the older .775 levels or should I align using 1.228 as I'm integrating it with my +4 equipment?

 

[gemini86]

If you're running a balanced +4 studio, calibrate everything to the same reference, so all your meters are speaking the same language. My E-MU 1212M has a -10 unbalanced and a +4 balanced setting. After you hear some relays click, the output at 0dB is 1.228 at 0dB.