kipman725
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has anyone used one of these in an amplifier project? do they live up to expectations?
Digital volume controlls
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tangent
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I've played with them a bit, but the problem with most of them is that they're ground-referenced, as they're usually designed for single-rail portable systems. This usually results in strange start-up problems when you use them in a virtual ground (or presumably, true dual-rail) systems. Usually it's no more than a bit of clicky noise; not desirable at best.
Another difficulty is that if you're not willing to attach a microcontroller to it, you eliminate most of the options immediately. And what's left usually only lets you use two pushbuttons to make the volume go up and down.
These are all solvable problems, but if you're just looking for a drop-in replacement for an analog pot, you'll probably find the project to be more hassle than it's worth.
Another difficulty is that if you're not willing to attach a microcontroller to it, you eliminate most of the options immediately. And what's left usually only lets you use two pushbuttons to make the volume go up and down.
These are all solvable problems, but if you're just looking for a drop-in replacement for an analog pot, you'll probably find the project to be more hassle than it's worth.
BrianDonegan
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It depends on which ones you are referring to. The Dallas/Maxim DS chips offer easy interfaces, but aren't that great. The TI/BB PGA chips are pretty good (quiet volume transitions, etc), but I find their integrated buffers to be a bit hissy unless you are very careful. Wolfson recently discontinued their's.
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DaKi][er
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Quote:
Such a shame too, I went to order a few of them to make a balanced volume control and they were discontinued only a few weeks back. They were the best volume control chips available
| Originally Posted by BrianDonegan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wolfson recently discontinued their's. |
Such a shame too, I went to order a few of them to make a balanced volume control and they were discontinued only a few weeks back. They were the best volume control chips available
00940
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Schuro has a kit with the PGA2310 for 30€ : http://www.ub-audio.de/download-produkte/vc-kurz-en.pdf
villekille
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I find the DS1802 to be excellent volume control. I don't hear any clicks or noise, it's great and easy to use, no need for any input or output cap.
kipman725
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hmm I think in my class D amp I am working on I may just end up using an adjustable DC-DC reg to change the volume by altering the mosffet supply voltage. seems like I will end up using less power that way.
mark10001
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See here: Head-HIFI.com - Headphone Amplifiers this design uses a standard linear taper pot. The audio taper is done in software.
One of the nice things about a digital volume control is that you can lock out the pushbuttons so the volume doesn't accidentally change. Also, you have flexibility in software, which is something you don't have with a mechanical pot.
One other thing to point out is that you can also use a rotary encoder if you don't like pushbuttons.
Quote:
One of the nice things about a digital volume control is that you can lock out the pushbuttons so the volume doesn't accidentally change. Also, you have flexibility in software, which is something you don't have with a mechanical pot.
One other thing to point out is that you can also use a rotary encoder if you don't like pushbuttons.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by kipman725 /img/forum/go_quote.gif has anyone used one of these in an amplifier project? do they live up to expectations? |
MASantos
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I've sent them 4 emails during the last month to make an order and never got an answer... I used the two email accounts they provide and still nothing. Just to let you guys know that it might be difficult to place an order with them.
| Originally Posted by 00940 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Schuro has a kit with the PGA2310 for 30€ : http://www.ub-audio.de/download-produkte/vc-kurz-en.pdf |
I've sent them 4 emails during the last month to make an order and never got an answer... I used the two email accounts they provide and still nothing. Just to let you guys know that it might be difficult to place an order with them.
BrianDonegan
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Our Kookaburra uses the BB PGA2311 and the upcoming POGO uses the PGA2320 (their best chip). I actually have a few Kookaburra boards/kits left.
It uses a micro-controller to monitor the position of a simple 5K pot, then control the volume of the chip. It also slowly ramps up volume at startup. Power supply is built in (just needs a small transformer). Input buffer makes it work anywhere, and the output buffer can easily drive headphones. The opamps are socketed so it's easy to swap them out.
It uses a micro-controller to monitor the position of a simple 5K pot, then control the volume of the chip. It also slowly ramps up volume at startup. Power supply is built in (just needs a small transformer). Input buffer makes it work anywhere, and the output buffer can easily drive headphones. The opamps are socketed so it's easy to swap them out.
steinchen
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Quote:
as far as I know Schuro doesn't ship abroad (Germany only)
Dantimax in Denmark offers PGA2310 kits:
Dantimax (elektronik) - Selectors_-_attenuators
| Originally Posted by MASantos /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've sent them 4 emails during the last month to make an order and never got an answer... I used the two email accounts they provide and still nothing. Just to let you guys know that it might be difficult to place an order with them. |
as far as I know Schuro doesn't ship abroad (Germany only)
Dantimax in Denmark offers PGA2310 kits:
Dantimax (elektronik) - Selectors_-_attenuators
MASantos
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on their website they do have lots of information regarding international shipments, with details to various EU countries. here: Schuro - Informationen über den internationalen Versand
| Originally Posted by steinchen /img/forum/go_quote.gif as far as I know Schuro doesn't ship abroad (Germany only) Dantimax in Denmark offers PGA2310 kits: Dantimax (elektronik) - Selectors_-_attenuators |
on their website they do have lots of information regarding international shipments, with details to various EU countries. here: Schuro - Informationen über den internationalen Versand
steinchen
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oh, they changed their terms and conditions of shipping
unfortunately, from my experience, they have been all but fast when it comes to answering questions (if they answer at all). Maybe they got problems with their spam filter, maybe they are just overloaded with work.
unfortunately, from my experience, they have been all but fast when it comes to answering questions (if they answer at all). Maybe they got problems with their spam filter, maybe they are just overloaded with work.
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