[Theo]

I'm thinking about upgrading the stock Panasonic pot in the Castanet.  I like variable resistors but they don't have a chance to fit in the stock case.  The stock case is already large enough so I don't want to swap the case.  So my option is a better pot.  Alps Blues are inexpensive but are they any good?  What are other makes I should consider?  What makes a good pot?  Don't they all use conductive plastic?

[tubesforever]

I have posted on DIY or DIYtubes on the Audio Asylum about "the sound of pots".  Each pot is a gigantic sonic filter. 

If you need more bass, midbass and midrange the best out there is the PEC carbon comp stereo pots.  I am not sure where you can buy the stereo pots but I have a shop here in town that carries their mono pots for under 20 dollars each.  The shop is Sandy's Electronics and you can buy these on line.  Mine were not well matched, so I ended up finding the volume where I listen the most and then put the knobs line straight up at that point.  That way I did not have to fiddle too much to get the right mix.

I have tried the Vishay Cermet pots.  These are more like the sound of the Dale Vishay caps.  They do not do the low bass and midbass like the PEC carbon comps but they have that midbass and midrange magic like the Dale Vishays.  I love the upper mids and highs with this pot.  I bought these as mono pots at Sandy's electronics as well.  These were nicely matched and I used them in my Precision Fidelity C7 phono preamp until the thing fried its power supply.  They were a detailed yet neutral sounding cap.

I have heard black and blue alps and noble pots.  I prefer the TDK pots offered by Percy Audio.  The TDK's are highly respected.

I hope this helps a little.  I am certain others will jump in with their favorite pots.  The thing to remember is think hard about what your system does really well and where it needs help.  Pick the pot that gets you into the groove with your unique system.  This is the beauty of DIY--the ability to fine tune the sound to what is  best for our rooms and systems.

You will enjoy spinning pots.  If your box has room for mono volume controls I would definitely try the PEC and Vishay Cermet pots to see how they function in your system.

Cheers!

[Bill Epstein]

Tubes is being diplomatic, the blue Alps is just plain bad; the Black contributes to good imaging and has an airy quality but is kinda bright. The TKD sounds almost as airy and helps with image as well as the Goldpoint with Dales I once used. It is more balanced from top to bottom than any other pot. The PEC does nothing wrong, is good in the bass but just slightly veiled in comaprison to the TKD in the mid-range and treble. My opinions derive from using all of these in an Ella integrated and my ARC LS-1.

For value, the PEC is unbeatable. Now for some incredible news, Diyhifisupply has PEC 50 and 100k ohm stereo pots on clearance for $10!

Here's another upgrade, use EAR SD-40 between your power transformer and chassis plate and EAR Isoloss sandwich mounts between the standoffs and the board. I 'hear' quieter backgrounds similar to what low noise diodes do for the power supply. Vibration control is too important to be ignored. EAR rules!

[Theo]

As always, saved me lots of time.  Much appreciated!