That is about it without redesigning TVC. Maybe a forthcoming Statement version. What I envision is a remote controlled Shallco or equal attenuator and selector switch version with larger trannies with different core, say "R" core or "C" core, superior isolation of trannies, copper shielding of trannie, individual shielded wires for all inputs and out [ no busses] , better wiring for trannie and hook up, an all acrylic and wood enclosure with ebony cones screwed into base and Eichman Bullet type RCAs, and of course dual mono. External ground post connected to trannies and neg leg of RCAs.
avoid shallco if you are concerned with a sound quality
Why is that?What have you compared too. What would you suggest using?
rollo
as you noticed from my posts, we are here pretty crazy about the TVCs and my very good audiophile friend bought the expensive shallco for his cost no object DIY TVC based on S&B 102 Mk3 transformers. it turned out that it's clearly less transparent and more lifeless than elna switch used in music first audio although the quality is top notch, no doubts
i personally dont like the sound of elna either, for different reasons - it is too polite for my taste but i understand everyone who likes it because it is really seducing in a way. that's why i have no problem recommending it as a safe bet.
i have a different taste in audio - i like when devices transmit the energy of real music even if they sacrifice usual audiophile qualities that actually don't exist in a real music hall such as 3D, transparency or whatever. that's maybe why i have no audiophile speakers but rather brutal studio monitors that sometimes sound like a sophisticated PA.
to my ears all the TVCs i heard with elna have this similar, distinctive politeness and refinement that i tend to see as an artifice.
the best results we've got with a switch we unfortunately can't identify, it is actually a wierd 80s german switch built like a german WW2 tank with (i think) 9 positions only (you can imagine how coarse are the steps;). its usability is really questionable, even apart from the fact we have 2 only, NOS clearance.
the only thing we could find out is that it is made of pure copper, no brass, no silver, no gold. every metal part is copper so we´ve got a hint. ever since we've realized that, i am trying to find a copper made switch or at least copper made, silver plated, no matter of cost, but it is crazy - such things are simply not produced anymore. copper is too expensive these days plus everyone believes it is only important what material it is plated with, forgetting that due to skin effect, signal goes deeper than the first few microns of plate.
i've even had a dispute with peter quortrup from audio note whose ignorance was a shock to me. i found at a certain website a very interesting audio note switch that was described as copper-made, silver plated. i asked more precisely about materials used because the colour was clearly not copper but brass alloy with unkown % of silver and peter said it could be made of plastercene or whatever as long as it is silver plated as signal travels only through the first few (9) surface microns. and that guy is one of the most respected audio engineers today.... i will buy that switch to test it anyway cause maybe i simply can't find better for that money
anyway if anybody can point me to a full copper made switch, or copper with silver plate, pls let me know, it will be highly appreciated.
