Tube DIY Asylum

RE: Why not use a shunt style balance control?

24.27.41.140

Triode_Kingdom

A

In Reply to: RE: Why not use a shunt style balance control? posted by Ralph on August 02, 2023 at 11:20:04

Is that the configuration where the wiper is grounded? That's a good approach, but this is a preamp with a minimalist (passive) signal path up to the balance control. I'm concerned that the wiper would load down the signal path at the ends of rotation, possibly causing other issues. It's a good fallback though if the MN taper doesn't work as planned. I ordered a few pots today to evaluate.

Follow Ups:

You have to use a series resistance - Ralph 08:18:22 08/03/23 (1)
So the balance control doesn't load the source. But if you want to talk minimalist, its more so than using dual controls and has the advantage of an easy to find part and no noise whatsoever when its operated.

A 1M linear taper control can work quite well- your series resistance for each channel then being about 50K or so. That won't load your source.
- RE: You have to use a series resistance - Triode_Kingdom 11:34:49 08/03/23 (0)
  Thanks for mentioning this. I think Fisher did that in a few models, probably other brands as well. In my preamp (under construction), a "Stereo-Rev-Mono" switch precedes the balance control. Each channel has a series resistor ahead of that switch in order to provide a "mix" in mono mode. I agree the shunt balance control would probably work well in this situation. The MN taper isn't necessarily more intrusive, assuming a very low resistance through the wiper when the control is centered. The pots I ordered are MN, and they have a center detent that I think will be a nice touch. I'll move to a 500K or 1M shunt if they don't work out for some reason.

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