Alps Potentiometers for a good price

[JMT]

Just an update:

I received my package from Mr. Leung while I was away on business. The pots look exactly like the pics in the Ebay auction. Since these are the first "Alps" pots that I have seen, I have no point of reference to tell if they are genuine or counterfeit. One thing that surprised me, the shaft action is stepped. I expected it to be smooth. Is that indicative of a counterfeit?

 

[tangent]

In the ALPS Blue, the only version with detents ('cording to the datasheet, anyway) is the single-channel version. The dual-ganged units aren't available with detents. I'm sure ALPS will make duals with detents if you ask, though, so perhaps you have a part from a custom batch. If the use the same detent module, there should be 31 steps.

Here's the measurements you'll need if you want it to fit in the META42 (that's why you got them, right?):

Front row of pins to rear: 10mm
Distance between pins: 5mm
Distance from front part of box to first row of pins: approx. 2.5mm

The last dimension is only important if you want the front of the pot to be at the front edge of the board. Since there's a small 2mm collar sticking out of the front of the pot around the shaft, you end up with a bit of space between the front panel and the board, so the pot could actually have been placed about 2mm farther back into the board. For layout reasons, we chose not to do that. The relevant point is that your pins could be even closer to the front of the pot and still allow the pot to work fine in this board, if all the other dimensions are correct.

Other dimensions:

Footprint: 27x23mm, not counting the shaft collar
Height: 25mm

You should also test the gang error, to see if it's within 2dB down to -60dB. That's what's promised in the slick. (The datasheet doesn't give this spec.) If your pots meet a spec that tight, then who cares if they're not made by ALPS?

 

[Possum]

Quote:

Type: Stepped and have loudness tappings!

This is directly from the eBay auction you won with the "Buy it now" option, so I expected them to be stepped - it doesn't bother me though, smooth or detented. I also have a few of these waiting at home that arrived yesterday, but won't be able to test them out until I get home on Sunday/Monday.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

do stepped pots usually have better tracking or what?

 

[Joe Lau]

Quote:

Originally posted by JMT Just an update: I received my package from Mr. Leung while I was away on business. The pots look exactly like the pics in the Ebay auction. Since these are the first "Alps" pots that I have seen, I have no point of reference to tell if they are genuine or counterfeit. One thing that surprised me, the shaft action is stepped. I expected it to be smooth. Is that indicative of a counterfeit?

Oh ! I think it may be so close to which I have a sample on hand. It is made by a Printed PCB inside and a wiper to from a switch. It have 1/16W resistors inside. Our V.R not mark "ALPS: but marking "SoundWell". I think it is no problem in short time but it may be not so reliable after use for a long time !
Who Care ! It is so cheap. US$6 /Pcs - It is not cheap. I can get more and more cheaper if I order 100 Pcs. I had test it sound quality and balance is OK but the feeling is not so smooth.
It is little harden.
I think It may be not ...

 

[evilcthul]

If in doubt it's always better to use the real thing... At least you're guaranteed of consistent quality.

How does the Soundwell sound compared to the ALPS? Is the difference subtle?

 

[kai_yip]

Actually it's selling at $5 each in Hong Kong. It's in the district Sham Shui Po.

The range are 50k, 100k and 250k

but for specific values (such as 10k), it needs $23 in Hong Kong from RS component

 

[Joe Lau]

Quote:

Originally posted by evilcthul If in doubt it's always better to use the real thing... At least you're guaranteed of consistent quality. How does the Soundwell sound compared to the ALPS? Is the difference subtle?

It sound quality is good ! Mechenical feeling not impressive me. I also worries it reliability !
So I don't consider to use it ! Even it is cheaper than Alps. (Alps is not a Real step type but only have Click).

 

[evilcthul]

Hey Joe,

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the ALPS motorized pot smooth? I thought it wasn't stepped.

Also are you planning to use the ALPS selector switch on your new pre-amp designs? It would go well with the pot.

 

[Joe Lau]

Quote:

Originally posted by evilcthul Hey Joe, Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the ALPS motorized pot smooth? I thought it wasn't stepped. Also are you planning to use the ALPS selector switch on your new pre-amp designs? It would go well with the pot.

I'm not cosider to us it soon. Due to it price is too high and Lead time also very long. We have no qulaity problem on seletor switch. So I'm not consider it now.

Alps Motorized is not step type. It is smooth type. I know alps never products Real step type V.R. (Switch and Resistors). It only made detend normal resistor carbon disk. It only have a Click feel but not Real step type.

 

[Dr.Nokill]

Hello,

I found this Site and your Posting. Well the pots seem not being ALPS. I am from Germany and there is a local Dealer who has Audiophile DIY Equipment. The Pic on eBay looks like a Panasonic Pot, just in Plastic case than in a metal one, if it is, be lucky these are better and more expensive than ALPS.
Check this link, there are Pic of the Panasonic one
(The link is unfortunately for most of you in german, just look a bit below on the left side)

http://www.thel-audioworld.de/bautei...ile.htm#regler

CU
Dr.Nokill@web.de

 

[JMT]

What a great sight, I sure wish I didn't sleep through the 5 years of German I took in Jr. High and High School.

The "Alps" pots that I received from HK look very similar to the Panas.

 

[Dr.Nokill]

Yes, they do.

As well, i slept in english, a question. The ???resitance??? of the Pot when you turn it is very high? Is it hard to turn without a knob, but feels good turning? If yes, it sure is a Panasonic. They also assembled in Japan. But they won't build these Pots anymore, so it may be possible ALPS bought the closed Factory, Machines and (re)assembles them. It may be that it is a test-series (only in Japan) and if it runs good thy will put them in their Programm and raise the price. I got some of them for 15€ and they are a little bit superior to the "standard" ALPS.
The 8 Pins on the Pot... 4 (on the right side I think) are GND the leftest is IN and the other is OUT.
Are they still available? And how much was the shipping? How did you pay the money?

Thank You

 

[erix]

Well I popped off the back of one of these pots (Thanx JMT!) and was surprised to find it stuffed with resistors.

That's right, 1/8W resistors, wired in series (or so it looks like) - is it a tiny stepped attenuator?! The resistor bodies are different colors - not the stripes, the body that the stripes are painted on. As if they scrounged around for the right values.

On the meter they measure DEAD-ON between channels - at least to one decimal place. Better by far than any I've worked with before in my limited experience.

I'll post some pics of it tomorrow. Kinda sloppy soldering but hell, I don't think I could do much better...

ok,
erix

 

[eric343]

JMT: Sorry to here that. Here's a translation from Head-Fi's Resident German Translator (me), of the bits under "Lautstärke-Einstellung; Signalquellen-Umschaltung":
Quote: