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AR-2ax Level Controls. Originals: 16 Ohm Rheostats. Replace with?????

Speaker Level Controls.

I am a big fan of level controls on speakers, and fully intend to keep them on the AR-2ax Speakers I just bought as a reaction to the discussion here

 

(this forum has cost me a heckofa lot of money over the last 2 years)!

...........................................

It seems the originals are 16 ohm rheostats, which vary current. ranging from +/- 15 ohms to +/- 7 ohms if this eBay listing is correct.

 

choices:

a. 16 ohm rheostats (2 contacts, control current) (clean original if salvageable) or new

b. 16 ohm potentiometer (3 contacts, control voltage)

c. L-Pads, like I just replaced in my main speakers with drivers from 1958.

I understand an advantage of L-Pads is that they always show the same impedance to the crossover. AR chose 16 ohm rheostats in the 60's, L-Pads existed, they did not use them. 

IF change to L-Pad, would you use 16 or 8 ohm L-Pads for these speakers?

Specs say: Minimum 8 ohms (not nominal)

thanks as always for your help

Elliott

elliottbnewcombjr

Showing 1 response by audiokinesis

audiokinesis
2,755 posts
 

"The new [16-ohm] L-Pads were TOOOOO big. The new L-Pads were TOOOOO big. A pair cannot get close enough together for the shafts to fit thru the existing holes in the crossover board (1-3/4" c/c). Returned for full refund to Parts Express."

One of their dual-8-ohm L-pads can be configured as a 16-ohm potentiometer, with a sufficiently small footprint.

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