Looking for a 2-channel high end volume control
Optical resistor Haven't come across talk of LDR attenuators for a while... I could never work out what the attraction was. This one tracks about the same as a half decent pot (0.5dB ∆ L/R) but has 0.5%THD. I'd be interested to know what it is that makes them an attractive option... maybe people like the sound of the distortion? |
I never heard of Cirrus, but there is DACT, Goldpoint, Elma, Shallco, Noble, Penny and Giles, and etc, all of which make excellent two-channel balanced attenuators in your choice of impedance. (I am sure I left out a few other quality brand names.) Depends upon how much you want to spend. In addition to conventional resistor-based attenuators, like those mentioned, you can also think about attenuators based on light intensity and a photo-electric cell. (I guess that is what danager points out above; I personally would stick with resistors.) No reason to mess with an 8-channel device when you only need 2. If you don't already know much about attenuators, you might want to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the pluses and minuses of the various types, e.g., series, shunt, or ladder type, and e.g., stepped attenuators vs continuous types, etc. |
Interesting to learn about the Muses, I've not come across that manufacturer before. Spec is very similar to the Cirrus and TI although the Muses has a gain stage built in (but not great distortion figures). In all honesty I'm not even sure whether 99.9% of people would ever notice whether it was a pot, IC or switched attenuator. In terms of noise the ICs score lowest, pots are pretty good when they're brand new. Pots are worst on left/right tracking and longevity. And switched attenuators are either expensive and have limited steps (passive types) or expensive and complicated (log relay types). If 'high end' means best sound quality then none of the ICs really cut it... I'm only saying that because 'high end' is in the title of the thread. |
PS — I should have included this extensive info: https://www.digikey.com/htmldatasheets/production/486737/0/0/1/cs3310.html Cirrus discontinued this product, as of Feb 4, 2022 (sic) —but it’s still available |
I use the CS3310, a 2-channel Stereo control. It’s part of a Chinese "passive preamp" with 4 inputs, remote control, mute, and it also has Balance control that doesn’t affect the sound quality in any way. The "blurb" on ebay claimed Jeff Rowland also used it. Skeptical, I checked the Rowland site: sure enough, Rowland’s $17,000 preamp does use it. Before I got it, I was using an ALPS 10K motorized pot, which is 40 years old, bu works perfectly. I still haven’t completely decided, but I think the old pot delivers a bit more detail... but lacks a balance function. I need remote control, but I haven't yet found a chip-based system that can match a simple pot. Even my Meridian preamp, a "high-end" brand, veils the sound noticeably. |
In the past few years I have been looking into Pre Amp's and am myself going to have a Balanced Design Produced to work with my Monoblock Power Amp's that are to be reconfigured to be a Balanced Design. The Volume Control that has been researched by myself and one that is very well received when reading up on the reviews is the Muses. As as you have requested a Chip, I think this might be in keeping with your inquiry, so I will propose the Muses VC for you to look at. This VC Design has been used in a few Brands TOTL Pre Amp's. The Link is not the only supplier, there are a few different Sources. I believe it can have a Balance Control on the Same Rotary Control for VC. In my mind, VC and Balance Control would be quite an interesting additional option for a Balanced Pre Amp'. https://www.academyaudio.com/vcu |
Have you checked what Khozmo offers? They sell stepped attenuators with lots of options. A bit pricey but looks like a quality product.https://khozmo.com/ BillWojo |
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I've done a fair bit of research into this, there are a few available... the TI range is listed here. I think Maxim might do some as well. The advantage of IC volume controls is that they track well, are cheap and small. The audio performance is not stellar though and THD+N can be better with a 10K pot. For real 'high end' it's hard to beat an R2R log stepped attenuator but you'll have to design, build and find a way of controlling that yourself - there are some DIY blogs out there. I use a 500Ω 128 step R2R attenuator in my preamp which measures -121dB THD+N (including the amplification stages) that's 10-15dB quieter than the best TI chip on its own. I know not many here like measurements but noise is noise. |
