Alps Blue Install - Unexpected Results

[dmhenley]

Hello!
I've been really enjoying the amp stock (with C4S) this past week. Many hours have been logged, with 'phones and speakers.

I thought because I had so little play (wired for speakers (8ohms)) in the volume when using my AKG Q701's, that I'd move to an Alps Blue. Inexpensive and easy to install. I'd read they may track better at very low volume, etc., but that there may not be a noticeable difference otherwise.

Ok, so listening now. First, the tracking is better - great! Here's what I didn't expect -
I've got far more play in the volume:
7:00 (if 6 is 0) would be loud with some modern recordings with the stock pot.
Now, I've got a pretty loud record on and am comfortably at 9:00.
And, it's sounding lovely.

So....did I hose up my stock pot? The connections were triple checked by the time I was done troubleshooting, etc. Either way I'm very happy with the pot swap.

There's a pic of the Alps blue (pre install) here:
http://thenewold.co/?p=198

[Paul Joppa]

Pots for volume controls are called "log pots" because they have a logarithmic resistance vs. rotation function. However, there are many different approximations to a log function in use.

A quick search turned this up; it appears to be a decent article: http://tangentsoft.net/audio/atten.html

Bottom line - no two "log" pots can be expected to have the identical curve.

[dmhenley]

Thanks Paul!
Appreciate the reading -