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What type of volume dial do you prefer?

Poll Results: What type of volume dial do you prefer?

 
  • 86% (13)
    Analog.
  • 13% (2)
    Digital.
15 Total Votes  
post #1 of 15
1/28/12 at 10:40pm
Thread Starter 

Analog or digital based volume dials?

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post #2 of 15
1/28/12 at 10:56pm
Analog for me.
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post #3 of 15
1/29/12 at 1:12am

Digital should not even be an option. Someone give me one reason why it would be superior to analog? Even better, lets make it work with touchkeys!

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post #4 of 15
1/29/12 at 2:23am

Analog.

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post #5 of 15
1/29/12 at 3:28pm

Analog all the way...the dials on my computer screen always end up over or under what I wanted.

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post #6 of 15
1/29/12 at 3:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtus View Post

Digital should not even be an option. Someone give me one reason why it would be superior to analog? Even better, lets make it work with touchkeys!


Channel balance.

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post #7 of 15
1/29/12 at 8:06pm

Well that's true. Though it still doesn't even closely cut it.

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post #8 of 15
1/29/12 at 8:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtus View Post

Well that's true. Though it still doesn't even closely cut it.


Why's that? Even fairly extreme digital attenuation won't be audible with a low noise 24-bit DAC.

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post #9 of 15
1/30/12 at 1:58am

Digital dials with a few voltage dividers to get a greater range. Would be the optimal solution.

 

For example, from 0 to -12 dB, it's purely digital, once you go over - 12 dB, a digital attenuation goes back up to 0 dB but there's a -12 dB voltage divider in the chain, so - 18 dB is - 6 dB digitally plus a - 12 dB attenuation. Repeat as many times as need with -24, -36, -48 dB... voltage dividers.


Edited by khaos974 - 1/30/12 at 1:59am
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post #10 of 15
1/30/12 at 10:29am

 

Originally Posted by Head Injury View Post


Why's that? Even fairly extreme digital attenuation won't be audible with a low noise 24-bit DAC.


I'm talking about the feel. I rather turn a solid feeling volume knob than push some buttons.

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post #11 of 15
1/30/12 at 7:32pm

It would depend on the implementation and the application.  For a stationary home use system I would prefer an analog dial.  If its a portable setup that can fit in my pocket or a small bag then a up and down button is sufficient.  I haven't owned enough stuff to really see the pros and cons of each one other than aesthetically.

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post #12 of 15
1/30/12 at 9:11pm


Tried a semi-modern AV receiver or pre-amplifier? Most of them have digital volume controls, and some of them have very weighty knobs. I don't know of anything like that on a normal-sized headphone amplifier though. I voted digital, but I agree with you on the buttons thing. khaos I think you might like this:

http://boulderamp.com/2010-p1.html (don't bother looking up the price, it's ridiculous - I just mean for you to see the very fancy and well done digital volume control (1000 steps, digital)). 

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtus View Post

 


I'm talking about the feel. I rather turn a solid feeling volume knob than push some buttons.



 

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post #13 of 15
1/31/12 at 7:08am

I have an AV-receiver with a volume knob. It just doesn't have any feel. Steps are also a downside unless there's insane amount of them.

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post #14 of 15
2/1/12 at 8:50am


Agreed. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtus View Post

I have an AV-receiver with a volume knob. It just doesn't have any feel. Steps are also a downside unless there's insane amount of them.



 

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post #15 of 15
2/2/12 at 2:45am

I like the dial. I used to have a vintage Sansui reciever that my mom's friend gave me and it had a volume slider which was kind of cool but I like a knob better especially if it is a large fat knob if possible. 

 

Also, I like the knob to be a strong brushed steel too which is a nice touch. 

 

Lastly, I also like kurled knobs too for a nice touch.

 

350

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