Need a high quality volume control

Audiovista · « **on:** 20 Apr 2007, 12:03 am »

Well, very high quality, in fact....for test application, which means constant manipulation.

I am looking for a dual volume pot, preferably audio taper, but will consider linear taper if better. Major criteria is durability.

Application is tube noise tester and the potentiometer must not mask the tube noise.

I looked at ALPS, typical life is 15,000 cycles. Looks good till compared with Bourns, who claims 25,000 cycles, but couldn't find dual pot. That also looks good till compared with MIL grade pots claiming 2.3 million cycles

- no dual config either.....

NOBLE used to make good ones, but can't find any info now.

Value 20-100k, I can work around that.

Price is of little practical matter, but can't use switched resistors, has to be a dual (ganged) potentiometer.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks,
Boris

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 12:14 am »

geez, I have no idea on that one. I have heard good things sonically for the Panasonic pots (carbon, I think) but don't know about durability. If price isn't the concern really, why not buy a few of the alps? Replace when it dies....it'll be a while before it does.

I just haven't looked into pots that much, preferring to opt for switch resistor or AVC/TVC.

Audiovista · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 12:32 am »

Thanks Josh,

This is custom design for a West Coast company, it's probably not practical to service the unit too often.

Size restrictions basically eliminate switches and transformers.

I think Alps uses electrically conductive plastics and Bourns some kind of ceramics for superior durability, but have no clue what MIL-spec pots use.