What do you think is the best make volume control ?? ALPS NOBLE ????


I am interested in putting the best volume control with-in reason in a friends Audio Research Pre-amp and I am interested in what people think is the best control with-in reason (cost)    Thanks
autospec

Showing 1 response by drbarney1

When I built my integrated amplifier - a preamplifier and amplifier in the same chassis so that there would only be an inch or two of Kimber silver wire between stages, while the power supplies for the preamp and amp still have their own power supplies - I wanted to use the best volume control possible, which was a selector switch that used the best metal film resistor pairs for each volume setting.
Unless the volume was full up so that there was no resistor in the signal path, it sounded dull and lifeless, but what could I do since in theory this was supposed to be the best possible. Part of the problem was that I really could not choose any volume between the highest volume and the first step down and that, I learned was only part of the problem.
I replaced this big barrel of resistor pairs with the TDK 2CP 2511 and it outclasses the more expensive stepped resistor pair system at any volume setting. I never thought I had the sensitivity to hear what I had thought was so subtle as sound stage width and depth before, but there was nothing subtle about the difference this volume control does. I doubt there is a better sounding one even at what you might define as too expensive to be within reason.