Balanced Crack

Karl5150 · 1865

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Karl5150

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
    • Posts: 618
on: November 03, 2015, 04:53:29 AM
While I'm collecting the parts to try building the 3D pre-amp it occurred to me that a balance control on my Crack (?) would be nice. Using the Stereomour II as a guide I came up with this scheme. Please be kind enough to point out errors.
Thanks,
Karl

Karl
Downstairs: Planar3>PH-16>Stereomour II>OB Betsy+
Upstairs: RP1>Eros/CD5004>Seductor (2x Monoblocks)>FH3
Office: Modi Uber 2/Sirius>SEX2.1.1>µFonken FF85WK + DC160 subs
BR: FiiO M6>SEX3.0.1>ScanSpeak 10F + TangBand W6 (Mono)/DT770Pro
Garage: X12 streamer>Quicksand>Minimus 77


Offline Lee Hankins

  • Full Member
  • ***
    • Posts: 165
Reply #1 on: November 03, 2015, 06:37:44 AM
I use two mono pots most of the time, makes things a lot easier but more costly, always thought that a balance pot was just unneeded wire that could possible effect the sound.  If I do not use two mono attenuators I replace the Bottlehead alpha pot with two mono PEC pots, have a box full of unused A100K pots.

Either way you are using two pots and modifying the top plate, just believe that the better solution is two mono volume pots or attenuators.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2015, 09:26:52 AM by Lee Hankins »

Lee Hankins
"End of the Road"
Homer, Alaska


Offline Karl5150

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
    • Posts: 618
Reply #2 on: November 05, 2015, 05:15:08 AM
Thanks for the input Lee, I hadn't thought about the extra wire involved. Dual-mono is the way I went on my SEX amp at work, but it gets a bit fiddly to lower the volume for a phone call then turn it back up again and re-center the image.

Karl
Downstairs: Planar3>PH-16>Stereomour II>OB Betsy+
Upstairs: RP1>Eros/CD5004>Seductor (2x Monoblocks)>FH3
Office: Modi Uber 2/Sirius>SEX2.1.1>µFonken FF85WK + DC160 subs
BR: FiiO M6>SEX3.0.1>ScanSpeak 10F + TangBand W6 (Mono)/DT770Pro
Garage: X12 streamer>Quicksand>Minimus 77


Offline Lee Hankins

  • Full Member
  • ***
    • Posts: 165
Reply #3 on: November 05, 2015, 05:47:12 AM
I do not know what is involved in installing a mute switch, but this would solve the phone or other interruptions problems.  Just a two pole on/off inline switch would probably work.  Let the experts answer this question.

Lee Hankins
"End of the Road"
Homer, Alaska


Offline fullheadofnothing

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 1487
  • A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man
Reply #4 on: November 05, 2015, 08:05:02 AM
Why do you need a mute switch? Just take off the headphones.

Joshua Harris

I Write the Manuals That Make The Whole World Sing
Kit Packer Emeritus


Offline Karl5150

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
    • Posts: 618
Reply #5 on: November 08, 2015, 02:20:32 PM
Josh, the Crack is at home. Thinking about the balance option to make up for my uneven head / hearing, I have to wear headphones slightly askew to center the image.
The SEX amp with the dual-mono volume is at work, no headphones allowed there. If the Stereomuor based balance works on the Crack without perceptible sonic penalties I might give it a try on the SEX too.
I really started the thread to make sure the resistor value was ok for the Crack and I hadn't transposed any wiring.
Thanks
Karl


Karl
Downstairs: Planar3>PH-16>Stereomour II>OB Betsy+
Upstairs: RP1>Eros/CD5004>Seductor (2x Monoblocks)>FH3
Office: Modi Uber 2/Sirius>SEX2.1.1>µFonken FF85WK + DC160 subs
BR: FiiO M6>SEX3.0.1>ScanSpeak 10F + TangBand W6 (Mono)/DT770Pro
Garage: X12 streamer>Quicksand>Minimus 77


Offline richmi

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 39
Reply #6 on: November 08, 2015, 03:21:59 PM
I have the same problem as you.

I did not use the potentiometer that came with the kit, but 2 mono ones.

The extra aluminum plate is there because I made a mistake when I bored the second whole. I had used the knobs as a guide; I should have used the potentiometers instead. Working with a template is a good idea.

Here are photos of my build.

Richard
« Last Edit: November 08, 2015, 03:28:19 PM by richmi »

Richard Milette
Seduction C4S
Extended Foreplay III (converted to 6SN7 Nov. 2011)
Paramount 300Bs
Crack (6SN7) + Speedball + HD650


Offline photoduo

  • Newbie
  • *
    • Posts: 9
    • Photography / Video
Reply #7 on: September 11, 2019, 09:42:42 AM
I want to experiment with dual mono pots as well.
Found some info on Cosmos TOCOS Carbon Mono Trimmer Potentiometers 1 Turn 100K Ohm .5W
There are a few comparisons online about these and old Alps Black Beauty similar sound quality for whatever that is worth.
There is a choice between a .5W and 1W version on fleabay.
Any suggestions as to which wattage would work with crack or crackatwoa?
Thanks
Charlie
« Last Edit: September 11, 2019, 09:45:27 AM by photoduo »



Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19319
Reply #8 on: September 11, 2019, 10:41:13 AM
The wattage won't matter, but the physical form factor can be pretty important.  Pots that are much smaller than the stock pot won't fit the holes in the chassis very well, while pots that are much larger could run into the wood base or other parts of the amp.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man