Analog Attenuator?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys - I've been researching preamps, including those from one of my favorite companies the Bespoke Audio Company. I even configured a preamp from Bespoke with a single input and output. Then I thought, why the heck would I get a preamp with a single in and out, even though that's all I need, when I could just get some type of analog attenuator. 

 

I only need a single XLR input and single XLR output. 

 

I see Sonore has its analog attenuator, but it's unbalanced only. 

 

Question: What are the best analog attenuators people have seen or used (don't worry about price for now)?

 

 

[ericuco]

Have you looked at the Goldpoint Level Controls? I have one of their 47 step units with balanced input & output.

 

If your need is temporary, you are welcome to borrow mine as I am now using the HQP digital volume control.

[The Computer Audiophile]

12 minutes ago, ericuco said:

Have you looked at the Goldpoint Level Controls? I have one of their 47 step units with balanced input & output.

 

If your need is temporary, you are welcome to borrow mine as I am now using the HQP digital volume control.

Thanks Eric, I hadn't seen those. Looking more now. 

 

Is Roon controlling your volume using HQP or are you using HQP's interface?

[sandyk]

http://www.dact.com/html/attenuators.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw7LX0BRBiEiwA__gNw9b95o6kobwfiyUCQ454HU90qJd-WCDXeC8l1od0h__B9GMzoHPGyxoCFY8QAvD_BwE  Includes Balanced types

 

https://goldpt.com/

 

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/attenuators/khozmo-stereo-stepped-attenuator-mk2.html

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, sandyk said:

http://www.dact.com/html/attenuators.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw7LX0BRBiEiwA__gNw9b95o6kobwfiyUCQ454HU90qJd-WCDXeC8l1od0h__B9GMzoHPGyxoCFY8QAvD_BwE  Includes Balanced types

 

https://goldpt.com/

 

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/attenuators/khozmo-stereo-stepped-attenuator-mk2.html

Thanks Alex, I have no idea what to do with the attenuators on their own in a DIY sense. I'm looking for products that I can pop into my system.

[ericuco]

22 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

Is Roon controlling your volume using HQP or are you using HQP's interface?

I adjust volume in Roon which in turn adjusts HQP volume so in the end it is the HQP volume control. Works well.

[sandyk]

1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Thanks Alex, I have no idea what to do with the attenuators on their own in a DIY sense. I'm looking for products that I can pop into my system.

 While the Goldpoint Attenuators look ideal, you will also need to take into account the Input Impedance of the amplifier itself in order to retain a proper Logarithmic control. IOW, the Input impedance of the amplifier should be much higher than the resistance value of the selected attenuator, as well as not too low to unduly load the source equipment .

You should also use the shortest possible connecting leads to avoid HF rolloff .

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 hours ago, ericuco said:

I adjust volume in Roon which in turn adjusts HQP volume so in the end it is the HQP volume control. Works well.

Do you know the difference between Roon’s and HQP’s volume control?

 

Perhaps @Miska can help. 

[Norton]

Chris,

 

if you mean passive preamps then the Townshend ones are well thought of, although I’ve never used one (I do have one of their turntables):

http://www.townshendaudio.com/allegri-reference-preamplifier/

http://www.townshendaudio.com/allegri/

Reference has XLR 

 

Also see https://mfaudio.co.uk/preamplifiers/  who got stellar reviews some years back as I recall (also XLR)

 

Plus

 

http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/

 

If it’s an inline attenuator you’re after,  they have XLR inline for example.

 

 

 

[Miska]

2 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Do you know the difference between Roon’s and HQP’s volume control?

 

Perhaps @Miska can help. 

 

If you use Roon + HQPlayer, then Roon sends volume commands to HQPlayer, these are also visible in Roon's signal path display. You can see volume changes from HQPlayer side as well.

 

If you use Roon's digital volume control (no HQPlayer), then the implementation is of course different from HQPlayer's in many ways.

 

[sphinxsix]

Some food for thought, Chris.

 

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/benchmarks-256-step-relay-controlled-attenuator

 

Kal Robinson's review:

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/benchmark-la4-line-preamplifier

 

Quote

Conclusion
The LA4 is probably the most transparent and revealing audio component I've ever used. It does not seem to leave any fingerprints on the sound. It has a useful array of inputs, outputs, and functions, and the use of sealed relays for volume and input selection assures a long and noise-free life. Benchmark might improve on the display and remote control, but I do not have any criticism of the LA4's sonic performance.

 

[jcn3]

more on the passive front -- nicely made units from luminous audio.  can have single ended and xlr options.

 

https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp

[Kal Rubinson]

While I am making a similar search, albeit for an 8channel balanced version, I am using a DROK USB digital control with my WINPC server running JRiver.  It operates the digital VC in JRMC (and/or the one in my exaSound e38).     I love it.

 

There are other wireless options like the Microsoft Dial (limited distance range) and any number of inexpensive IR remotes (tiny buttons).

 

Unfortunately, none seem to work with Roon but no one there seems to be interested in why or why not.

[Summit]

A quality preamp is best even if you only going to use it for changing the volume.

[sphinxsix]

6 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/benchmarks-256-step-relay-controlled-attenuator

 

The correct link:

 

https://benchmarkmedia.com/products/benchmark-la4-line-amplifier?variant=12552489664629

[The Computer Audiophile]

I have an HPA4 here that I'm testing as well. 

 

[bbosler]

look no further

 

http://www.placetteaudio.com/remote_control.htm

 

to make a balanced version I assume  will be about twice as much since the bulk of the cost is the resistors used. It is what I'm using. Rossini w/clock - Placette balanced Passive - Pass XA30.8 - Avantgarde Duo Omega with bass horns. Remote control completely transparent volume control.... 

 

you could also contact Dave Slagle about a transformer based attenuator. He and Jeffrey Jackson were just featured in the March issue of Stereophile in the Salt Cellar article.

http://www.intactaudio.com/

 

oops, EDIT forgot to mention, a key "component" in the system is Mitch Barnett's help in configuring convolution filters using Audiolense. A HUGE improvement in integrating the bass horns 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, bbosler said:

look no further

 

http://www.placetteaudio.com/remote_control.htm

 

to make a balanced version I assume  will be about twice as much since the bulk of the cost is the resistors used. It is what I'm using. Rossini w/clock - Placette balanced Passive - Pass XA30.8 - Avantgarde Duo Omega with bass horns. Remote control completely transparent volume control.... 

 

 

Very cool!

[RickyV]

7 minutes ago, bbosler said:

look no further

 

http://www.placetteaudio.com/remote_control.htm

 

to make a balanced version I assume  will be about twice as much since the bulk of the cost is the resistors used. It is what I'm using. Rossini w/clock - Placette balanced Passive - Pass XA30.8 - Avantgarde Duo Omega with bass horns. Remote control completely transparent volume control.... 

 

 

OMG is that black arch all bass horn, wow. I think the neighbors will hear you just fine. Very nice.

[Kal Rubinson]

3 hours ago, Summit said:

A quality preamp is best even if you only going to use it for changing the volume.

OK but there are very few of them with more than 2 channels.

[bbosler]

3 minutes ago, Kal Rubinson said:

OK but there are very few of them with more than 2 channels.

 

Placette made me one with 6 so I assume they could do as many as you want

[Kal Rubinson]

2 minutes ago, bbosler said:

 

Placette made me one with 6 so I assume they could do as many as you want

I did look at them and, judging from their technology, that would seem possible.  Unfortunately, I do not see any VC knobs on their stuff and it all is SE.  I need balanced.  Is yours?

[The Computer Audiophile]

7 minutes ago, Kal Rubinson said:

OK but there are very few of them with more than 2 channels.

You and all your channels :~)

[Kal Rubinson]

Just now, The Computer Audiophile said:

You and all your channels :~)

I know but stereo is more of a compromise.

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, Kal Rubinson said:

I did look at them and, judging from their technology, that would seem possible.  Unfortunately, their stuff is all SE and I need balanced.  Is yours?

 

"We offer truly balanced versions of all of our products at twice the cost of single ended units. To build a truly balanced volume control or preamp requires building four channels of everything instead of the usual stereo pair. Because of the very high cost of the Vishay® resistors and adding extra internal controls and interlocks, it's very expensive and it only offers an advantage in a very few situations. But, because of the extremely good tracking of our balanced four channel volume controls, noise cancellation is the very highest possible because the plus and minus signals are always exactly equal but opposite in phase at every volume setting."

 

http://www.placetteaudio.com/QandA.htm