[Seano]

I've been having another ponder of the specs of the GK-1 and as much as I'd like a GK-1R it is just too much for the budget to stretch to in the next 12 months.......by which time Hugh will have pulled it anyway from DIY.

So what I'm thinking is a GK-1M with the manual source selection but replacing the manual volume control with a remote volume control. The reason for doing this is that, at the moment, and for some forseeable time, I only have two sources (CD and vinyl). So there's no real need for remote source switch.  But remote volume would be rather handy.  It certainly is with my current setup.

I've seen plenty of remote volume kits from kit suppliers that could be added in but suspect that audio quality of the pots and other components is not to the AKSA standard.

What would be a simple AKSA quality solution to this?

Hugh, would it be a hassle to offer remote volume control as an option to the manual versions of the GK-1 or is there a suitable alternative already out there?

[Rocket]

hi seano,

last year i bought a remote volume kit from audio electronic supply and installed it in my n.e.w. preamp.

from memory it cost me about $370au including postage and handling to ship to australia.  the au $$ was quite weak at that stage.

there may be other solutions but i don't know of any.

regards

rocket

[The Oracle]

ROCKET
Hate to tell you, but I'd have looked at kitset part #5024 from a little store in your area called - Atronics!   Cost, $50!
Just change the volume pot.

Disclosure of interest - None.
The Oracle

[Malcolm Fear]

I did see that someone had added a remote control to a DACT stepped attenuator. The way to go. I'll try and find the link (I have too many links), if you are interested?

[AKSA]

Sean,

You really do need a quality pot for the volume control, and the best at present are the the premium conductive plastics from Japan.  Of course, they need to be motorized.

A digital solution is possible, and quality of these chips is improving all the time, but at this stage the complexity to achieve quality does not justify the effort at any but the $US10K plus level.

The GK-1R is $AUD1380, while the GK-1M is $AUD1130.  At this level of sonics, the difference is arguably small for the convenience of universal control with a remote.

I'll certainly be in Melbourne over New Year, and would welcome you at any time!

Cheers,

Hugh

[PJ]

If your really keen...

Use a stepper motor, a cheap microcontroller, and an elastic band strapped to the volume control

[Seano]

You really do need a quality pot for the volume control, and the best at present are the the premium conductive plastics from Japan.  Of course, they need to be motorized.

The GK-1R is $AUD1380, while the GK-1M is $AUD1130.  At this level of sonics, the difference is arguably small for the conven ...

I know of the remote kit from Altronics but was well aware that the motorised pot included is not up to the task.  Where in Oz can you get hold of quality motorised pots in retail quantities?

Hugh, I accept that $250 is a small price to pay for the convenience but that is not (and probably will never be) the problem.  The problem is finding the total dollars for a GK-1R within the timeframe that you have set for it's removal from the DIY list. I can't see myself with the spare moola until the end of the current financial year and I sure as heck cannot afford/justify the dollars involved in a built up version of the R version.

The truth is that I'm happy with the concept of manual source selection (or even a single source GK-1 because I really don't have many LPs) but would really like remote volume control and remote on/off switching because it makes it easier to store (I like to hide audio gear from plain view) and operate the equipment. If I can achieve these things with acceptable audio results then I'll be a happy camper.

[ginger]

If your really keen and all thats holding you up is the motorised pots then try these:

ALPS RK27112MC 50K dual log - motorised (4 to 6 VDC, 150mA at 4.5V)

Radio Spares Cat No.234-6617 Aus$72.90
Farnell Cat No. 697-930 Aus $84.35

Same Part so R.S. is the go. These are Carbon Pots NOT Cermet BUT being ALPS they are hi quality carbon.

As for me I'll be getting off my butt to rotate the knob by hand. Remotes make you so lazy.

Cheers,
Ginger

[stvnharr]

Once you have had remote volume control, you are totally spoiled.   Small 1 or 2 db adjustments can be easily and exactly performed without losing "mental contact" with the music.
I pooh-poohed remotes for years until I got a preamp with one.

[tg3]

I did see that someone had added a remote control to a DACT stepped attenuator.

DACT Attenuator Remote Control from Bent Audio.

$225US, attenuator not included!

[Rocket]

hi oracle,

an alps motorized pot, cary audio remote, ir sensor and circuitry to run the remote is going to cost a fair bit more than $50.00au.

unless of cause altronics have a special deal.

regards

rocket

[AKSA]

Hi Oracle, Rod,

We did actually look at this kit early on.  It is pretty clever, but from memory only offers volume control.  Furthermore, there was the matter other people's Intellectual Property, and the pcb design did not meet my expectations;  we wanted something better.  More functions were necessary, and of course we needed to use a quality pot.  

The other, hidden, issue is the software.  Our remote has 480 lines of assembler code to give the appropriate 'logical' controls, and I seem to remember Ben said doing the code and debugging it took about 40 hours.

All this adds to the cost, and I guess recovery only comes from one place - sales!

Cheers,

Hugh

[DSK]

FWIW Michael Percy sells a remote control volume kit to go with the Panasonic and Alps motorised attenuators. From memory it is at the very end of his catalog (available online) and has no price marked.

[SamL]

Just found another source for remote volume control.
http://www.dipchipelec.com/apox.htm


Sam