[MusicMtnMonkey]

http://

So I ordered a 23 step Attenuator, 50K for my volume control.  Instead I have received a Balanced 23 step Attenuator I think...  Is there a way I can test this to make sure it's 50K like it's supposed to be since it's not really what I ordered.  I think I've recieved this product:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Balance-XLR-23-stepped-attenuator-volume-control-50K_W0QQitemZ300227127522QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3280QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
Will I be able to use this for my CASTANET?

Funny thing, the ebay stores web diagram for wiring this one is for the single ended control I was supposed to recieve 

I suppose I could email the seller, but for the small amount of money difference I'd hate to have to deal with sending this back.  I might be able to get the diagram for wiring from the seller, but I'd sure like to test it and find out if the resistance is what I expected....

I was laughing today thinking, how much fun ebay is.  When you use Audiogon, most of the time what shows up is exactly what I've expected.  Ebay is just an adventure through the wild west 

[Theo]

I don't see why it shouldn't work.  You will have to modify the case to fit it in though.  I was thinking about one of these too but I heard that unsealed attenuators could hum.  I also don't feel like modifying the case and deal with probable hum, so I went with a 50 Ohm PEC pot instead.  Let us know how it sounds.

[hagtech]

It looks like you received a switch.  I don't see any resistors.  My guess is that you can now build your own custom volume control.

jh

[MusicMtnMonkey]

Thanks for the help in Everyone!!

That would be a bummer if i had to solder all the resistors in myself.  This won't bother me though (to reorder a new pot), it's not like I don't understand the risks involved with using Ebay to "try" and save a few coins 

I thought the black numbered things soldered in between the metal bars were resistors?  Upon second look the little black guys with numbers, soldered between the bars sticking out, some of them do have an r in the middle like they denote resistance numbers.  Aren't the little black guys with numbers "SMD" type resistors??

My real question which upon rereading my post I wasn't clear about is how do I wire this thing?  I was expecting a single ended stepped attenuator with wires and diagram at ebay store.  It looks like a Balanced Stepped Attenuator to me with no wires or diagram.  I can probably research this more and find an answer.  If you click on the thumbnail above and view the larger picture, I numbered what I think are the 8 in and out solder "brackets?"

If I recieved a Balanced instead of single ended part, same specs, wouldn't I want to just keep it??

Since I didn't get the attenuator I ordered, I feel like this one should be tested so at least I know if it isn't a 50k deal...  Maybe I just need to get out the multi-meter and play to see what values I get 

It looks like you received a switch.  I don't see any resistors.  My guess is that you can now build your own custom volume control.

jh

[tubesforever]

Those are surface mount Vishay resistors.  Supposedly they sound a lot clearer than epoxy coated pcb style resistors.  The DACT style attenuators are described as sounding better than my 65 dollar Dale Vishay stepped attenuator.

To measure the resistance, just take a DMM.  You should have a loading resistance of 50k for every step regardless of the signal based resistance in the attenuator.

The resistors are 24 step.  Step one has 50k loading and allows no signal to pass.  Then the signal resistance diminishes with each step until you have full gain at the top position.

I hope the vendor can help clear up the wiring scheme.   


Cheers!

[Theo]

My real question which upon rereading my post I wasn't clear about is how do I wire this thing?  I was expecting a single ended stepped attenuator with wires and diagram at ebay store.  It looks like a Balanced Stepped Attenuator to me with no wires or diagram. 

"Balanced" or whatever, this particular one seems pretty standard fare.  As view from the auction page, there are 2 input, 2 output and 2 ground connections.  Each input and output are for wiring each left and right channels.  The ground connections simply connect to ground.  Should be able to check this with an Ohm meter.

[hagtech]

Yes, them would be surface mount resistors.  I didn't look closely.  It is a stereo pot, which you can hook up as balanced for a single channel.

jh

[nimrod]

Scroll down to the pix and take a look at how to wire it. I just installed one in stereo, and it sounds great!  It looks like you got a 4-channel unit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/DACT-Type-23-Stepped-Attenuator-Potentiometer-50K-2a3_W0QQitemZ290270528164QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item290270528164&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[tubesurf]

Hello Hagermanites,

Has anyone tried the OptiVol from SKA Audio in Australia?    Apparently it is a opto coupler that has its resistance varied by LED.  The LED intensity is varied through a pot but there is no pot or contacts in the circuit path.   Anyway, I think that is how it works.

[MusicMtnMonkey]

Thanks for replying to my thread everyone and for the help!!

So at everyone's encouragement I started to be a little more inquisitive. I did take the multimeter out and start to try and figure out my hardware.  I haven't found out how it's wired yet, but I'm going to start by doubling the picture on the internet and see if the wiring test as expected (haven't completed testing yet...).  There are kind of 2 additional cylinders that look exactly the same on my pot as compared to the stereo pot.

The opti controlled volume controls do look interesting.  The Boulder Audio gear uses optical coupling for Volume and channel selection I think.  If you use one, please do report back and give us the details 

If I was to dream, right now my favorite looking product is the Twisted Pear Audio's Joshua Tree.  It's not available right now, but I think a new version is under development with intentions to be released.  The Joshua Tree is a remote controlled IC ladder type stepped attenuator volume control (ok I failed in my technical terms and label here, check their website...)...