[guest1632]

Hi all,

Just came across this recently while lurking around Audiogon, and I mentioned to Arek, the owner that I would see about attempting to throw some business his way. No money is being compensated, just to do a good favor.

If you go to www.Khozmo.com you will find a 48 stepped volume control with many different configs. Now, I don't wish to get in to trouble here, so the prices for the series LADDER TYPE AR $129, AND THE SHUNT TYPE IS $99, WITH DIFFERENT RESISTIVE VALUES. i haven't actually heard it yet, but I figured for a 48 step Attenuator for this price, that's a good inexpensive way to get a stepped Attenuator.

Ray Bronk

[Mariusz]

I have tried to contact Arek via email posted on his website but it doesn't work.
Do you have other means of contact?

Mariusz

[JohnR]

The email link is misformatted - try just copying the email address into your mail program.

Certainly looks interesting. I don't understand how the ladders can be the same prices as the shunts.

[Mr Content]

Nice, bookmarked now thanks

[bigjppop]

It looks like some great stuff and I am currently in the market for a couple of volume pots but do you guys really see a difference between a $130 pot and something in say the $30 range (maybe something from Alps)?  I still think $30 is pretty pricey for a volume pot, but I'm cheap (and cheerful about it!).

[Mariusz]

The email link is misformatted - try just copying the email address into your mail program.

Certainly looks interesting. I don't understand how the ladders can be the same prices as the shunts.

I'll try that John.
Looks like he is operating from my "old land" (he lives in Warsaw. I was born in Gniezno - Polish 1st Capital). Maybe we can get some discount for AC members if there is enough interest?

Cheers
Mariusz

[rollo]

FYI check out an alternative volume control. LDRs. www.diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/DIY-Lightspeed-Passive-Attenuator A lot of buzz over the LDRs makes sense parts are inexpensive and the build not difficult. A nice alternative.


charles

[Mariusz]

FYI check out an alternative volume control. LDRs. www.diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/DIY-Lightspeed-Passive-Attenuator A lot of buzz over the LDRs makes sense parts are inexpensive and the build not difficult. A nice alternative.


charles

Hi Charles

Do you know the price of the "ready product"?
No prices are available on his website.

Thanks
Mariusz

[rollo]

No I do not. However if you would like one already built the "Lightspeed" is available from George in Australia for $450. www.lightspeedattenuator.com

charles

[Mariusz]

No I do not. However if you would like one already built the "Lightspeed" is available from George in Australia for $450.

charles

If parts are inexpensive and it is easy to built why $450. That is not cheap in my book. It might be a sound alternative to DIY guys but those who lock the skills it is not an option.

Best
Mariusz

[guest1632]

The email link is misformatted - try just copying the email address into your mail program.

Certainly looks interesting. I don't understand how the ladders can be the same prices as the shunts.

Hi,  Well, when I first talked/emailed Arek, he told me the Series Ladder type was $129, and the shunt type was $99. I too emailed him last night, and I hope he gets back to me soon.

Yes, you can buy the carbon pots a lost cheaper, and I know of one source you can buy a stepped attenuator for under $50, but that one is just a 24 position type. I saw awhile back, I had seen someone out of Euripe with a I think? 72 steps. It was something like $250 or so. So that was about a year or so ago. Then Goldpoint had there 24 stepped Attenuator for I think $139 or so. That was why I based my thinking that a 48 stepped attenuator for $129 was a good deal. Now, I don't know the exact theory but supposedly the shunt type config is supposedly suppose to sound better than the ladder type. That is a discussion for the Lab circle. So that's my story, and I'm sitcking to it.

I had told him (Arek) that I would see about promoting his products around, because it seemed like a good deal. I wasn't looking for any compensation, just wanted to do someone a good turn. So if anyone hears from him, drop me a PM or email.

Ray Bronk

[rollo]

If parts are inexpensive and it is easy to built why $450. That is not cheap in my book. It might be a sound alternative to DIY guys but those who lock the skills it is not an option.

Best
Mariusz

 There is another out there called the "Eva" which sells for under $250 built. Hope that helps. They were sold out and are waiting parts to make more.


charles

[guest1632]

There is another out there called the "Eva" which sells for under $250 built. Hope that helps. They were sold out and are waiting parts to make more.


charles

Hi Gang,

Well, this is why I posted this stepped Attenuator here. $99 for a shunt type 48 stepped Attenuator, $129 for a Series Ladder type same steps. Analogmetric has a 24 step for $46 if memory serves me right. So $250 is a lot more expensive than 100. That's it for now.

Ray Bronk

[roymail]

Are you going to use it as a stand alone, passive volume control or install it in gear?  There are other options that have not been mentioned.

[guest1632]

I have tried to contact Arek via email posted on his website but it doesn't work.
Do you have other means of contact?

Mariusz

Hi Mariusz,

Ok, if you go to Audiogon, on the tube preamp page under classifieds, the first page is Kahzmo down towards the bottom of the page, he is selling a passive preamp with his 48 stepped Atenuators. Also, look on that page for some good bargains for tube preamps. Bill if you are lurking, I did email him that I would forward any info to him. So you too might give him a shout. uh email.

Ray Bronk

[Mariusz]

Hi Mariusz,

Ok, if you go to Audiogon, on the tube preamp page under classifieds, the first page is Kahzmo down towards the bottom of the page, he is selling a passive preamp with his 48 stepped Atenuators. Also, look on that page for some good bargains for tube preamps. Bill if you are lurking, I did email him that I would forward any info to him. So you too might give him a shout. uh email.

Ray Bronk

Hi Ray

I did (at least it appeared to go through) send him an email two weeks ago.
So far no reply.  I would use the Agon contact but I am no longer a member of that site and do not wish to open new account just for that reason.

Best
Mariusz

[Mariusz]

Look it up and it says - shipped from 03120.
But 03120 = XX.  I know Arek operates from Warsaw, Poland.
All in all , a bit confusing to say the least.
If you have some other contact info, please could you forward it to me via PM?

Regards
Mariusz

[doug s.]

well, all this talk about ldr attenuators made me extremely curious - much as i love my modded melos ma333r preamp, the fact that it's dual mono means its remote controls are sort of a p.i.t.a - they never track correctly w/the remote, meaning you always are fine-tuning them, after changing the wolume.  you can do it, as one set of buttons on the remote only controls the left channel,  while the other controls both channels, but it's still a pain.

so, i took the plunge, and purchased an eva 2.  (unfortunately, the less expensive eva, w/only one input, is nla; this means i had to shell out $373 delivered for the 3-input iteration; the single-input iteration sold for ~$99 less.  oh well.  all i can say is i am extremely happy w/the purchase.  it works great, and is actually better than transparent, if that's possible!  while i was hoping for no sonic penalty, i found that, w/the melos' gain set full, and using the eva-2 for the wolume control duties, everything has been improved a notch - dynamics, transparency, soundstaging.  icing on the cake, for having fuss-free easy-to-operate remote control.

and, for those wondering about this wolume control, vs the (non-remote) lightspeed attenuator, george of lightspeed said his iteration is designed with the wariable series ldr’s for each channel and the wariable shunt ldr’s for each channel; all matched as quad sets, as opposed to having fixed series resistors and variable shunt ldr’s.  i queried the designer/builder of eva-2 and he assured me that eva-2 has wariable resistor ldr's as well as wariable shunt ldr's.

http://diyparadise.com/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=26
http://diyparadise.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18


for those wanting to go passive, based on my experience, and reading other's experience w/the lightspeed attenuator, i think you could do much worse than trying an eva-2.

and, if you love the sound of your active pre, and want to add a fuss-free remote control to the party, you may be pleasantly surprised w/a sonic improvement as well!   

while the price for this, as i am using it ,may not be cheap-n-cheerful, it may qualify when using it as a simple preamp in a system.

doug s.
ps - this thing is quite small - the remote is ~1"x3"x0.25"

[jimdgoulding]

Hey, Ray, this has nothing to do with your topic but if I may make a point.  I think I've said this before so I won't belabor it further.  Some recordings are best served if you are judicious with your volume setting.  Well, all are actually, for one reason or another.  To wit . . Recently, a friend was playing an opera for me and had it turned up loud.  Too loud.  I put him in the center seat and adjusted his volume control and suddenly the performers recessed into, guess what, a stage and the orchestra assumed a realistic distance and panorama as tho they, and my friend and I, were in a concert hall.  Other things will benefit from high volume.  Just sayin.  Thanks.

[capwkidd]

Interesting, it uses an Apple remote. I guess if you are also using an Apple remote for an Apple computer, you will have to pair another remote to the Apple computer. Maybe this all does not matter, if the Apple computer is looking for FF/RW/Menu buttons, and the remote is only listening to VOL +/-, maybe that works out to be a perfect setup? I would love to try one of theses, but they are out of stock, anyone know where else they can be purchased, preferably in the US? Thanks.