[euclid]

hi, i am putting together a passive attenuation box and im curious which would be a better choice, im looking for stereo ladder type.

the elma is around $100 for the switch, i would need to source resistors and assemble
http://www.elma.com/us/products/rota...%20Switches/25

goldpoint (i think) used the elma switch before, but now has its own custom design which runs about $225, they come standard with KOA brand resistiors but im not sure if they come assembled. would i be better of with a different brand/type of resistor or are KOA pretty decent?
http://www.goldpt.com/compare.html

any info or experience is appreciated, thanks.

 

[ayt999]

goldpoint still uses Swiss-made ELMA switch components, as shown here:
http://www.goldpt.com/info.html

only difference for the new design seems to be new PCB components that use SMD-type resistors rather than the older through-hole resistor design and the current lack of customized resistor value settings. don't think they offer these as kits either and they all come preassembled.

 

[Edwood]

Last GOld point I played with was areaaly stiff. Not whree ae silky smooth as the "tick tick tickkk of the DAFT stempped atenuators.

ALthough I believe DACT uses ELMME parts too.;

 

[euclid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayt999 goldpoint still uses Swiss-made ELMA switch components, as shown here: http://www.goldpt.com/info.html only difference for the new design seems to be new PCB components that use SMD-type resistors rather than the older through-hole resistor design and the current lack of customized resistor value settings. don't think they offer these as kits either and they all come preassembled.

i have no idea why i coudnt recognize that they were SMD, i thought the SMD resistors in the pictured switches were actually holes in the PCB.

hmm, so the deciding factor for me will be the quality of the resistor, are the KOA SMD as good as a Vishay Dale through the hole type?

 

[stadams]

euclid,

As a vote for the Elma, when using the through-hole type switch, you have the option of replacing your favorite volume positions with high quality resistors such as tantalums or Vishay bulk metal foil while leaving the rest populated with Dales, Panasonics, or KOA's. Now, you have to convince yourself if this would really makes a difference.

Later,

 

[nikongod]

how inductive are the leeds on a SMT resistor?

just wanted to post that up as something to think of.

 

[SHLim]

What about Scott attenuators?
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze4c5pt
Review:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...ttenuators.htm
I already own a DACT, otherwise, I might try his.

Have fun,
sam

 

[n_maher]

I'd give one of these attenuators a shot before I dropped big $$ on an Elma or DACT. I've built two of them and am really impressed with the quality given that they only cost about 2x an alps pot.

Nate

 

[threepointone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by euclid hi, i am putting together a passive attenuation box and im curious which would be a better choice, im looking for stereo ladder type. the elma is around $100 for the switch, i would need to source resistors and assemble http://www.elma.com/us/products/rota...%20Switches/25 goldpoint (i think) used the elma switch before, but now has its own custom design which runs about $225, they come standard with KOA brand resistiors but im not sure if they come assembled. would i be better of with a different brand/type of resistor or are KOA pretty decent? http://www.goldpt.com/compare.html any info or experience is appreciated, thanks.

i did a bit of research on a couple of SMD resistors before, and if i remember correctly, the KOA speer SMD thin film .1% are mil-spec and actually better than the vishay thin film SMD resistors. If they're using those specific SMD resistors, they are specwise equivalent to the vishay RNxx thru-hole metal film.