[rgs9200m]

Any comments on replacing a DACT Stepped attenuator (CT2) with a TKD (2500 series) continuous one?
I know there is talk about stepped vs. continuous ones here and elsewhere, but I just wanted to ask specifically about this.
 
Areas of interest are:
Resolution, especially in the bass.
Sonics in general.
Channel level matching (at 40db+ attenuation). (I note that at this level of attenuation, TKD specifies a match within 2.5db, which sounds like a lot to me, especially with headphones.)
 
Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Any comments on replacing a DACT Stepped attenuator (CT2) with a TKD (2500 series) continuous one?
I know there is talk about stepped vs. continuous ones here and elsewhere, but I just wanted to ask specifically about this.
 
Areas of interest are:
Resolution, especially in the bass.
Sonics in general.
Channel level matching (at 40db+ attenuation). (I note that at this level of attenuation, TKD specifies a match within 2.5db, which sounds like a lot to me, especially with headphones.)
 
Thanks in advance for any comments.

 
2.5dB at -40dB and lower is not bad as a worst case specification.  The Alps RK27 (Blue), sort of a standard among decent pots, specifies within 3dB from -60dB to 0 and within 5dB from -80dB to -60dB.  When building portable amps for IEMs with analog volume controls its especially hard, as most of the time the volume knob is kept in the -80dB to -60dB range, even with an amp of no gain, and anything greater than 1dB mismatch is unacceptable, resulting in hand picking only the best parts - something you could consider if this worries you.
 
The Alps RK50, which costs as much as 100 Alps Blue pots, specifies +/-1dB (2dB) from -100dB to 0dB.  So even with possibly the world's best multichannel pot you could still end up with an audible mismatch, if you get the worst unit in the lot.
 
So for the price the TKD sounds about right

 

[Steve Eddy]

Check out the Acoustic Dimensions 40 step attenuator. You get the precision of a stepped attenuator, but with many more steps than the DACT or Goldpoint. And for about the same price.

http://www.acoustic-dimension.com/

se

 

[rgs9200m]

Hey thanks Justin & Steve, you guys are great and thanks for your time.

 

[spritzer]

If you are going to use TKD's then it makes sense to get the 2508 series over the standard 2500.  Better matching, large shield between each section and the price difference isn't that big.