Potentiometer upgrade- suggestions?

[Nathan]

I own a Crack and Sex. The Crack was my first kit and modified it extensively, including a PEC attenuator. Looking for volume control suggestions for the SEX- and I just looked at the Goldpoint site and I'm not interested in spending $165 on a volume pot.

I think I would like to try something other than the PEC this time around-

Thanks-

[Rocketman248]

I bought some of the Dale stepped attenuators that are available on Ebay.  I have one in my Crack as well as the S.E.X.  Easy to install, very good channel balance, and seems to sound nicer.  Plus, it looks cool, so it's got that going for it.

[JamieMcC]

You could have a look at the Glassware pcb based attenuators I used the A5 in my Sex and am very happy with it. I fitted the A5 from new it was a tight fit between the power switch and headphone out socket I see they now do a smaller version the A3mini.

I have also used a few of the Valab 23 stepped attenuators in Cracks which are relatively inexpensive and have performed well with out any issue for several years now.

http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/a5stat.html

http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/a3mini.html

[Lee Hankins]

For a really good pot for not a lot of money I suggest the Audio Note potentiometer, I believe around $36.00.

[Todd R]

I use the blue Alps pots, nice and quiet and track evenly. Not too expensive either.

[Nathan]

May try the Valab for sh*ts and giggles.

I've done very little to my SEX beyond stock. I have the C4S board and impedance switch kit. I added 100r 1watt resistors the the heater supply, and replaced the .1 uf caps.

Interestingly, at least to me, my Crack is far from stock. I did a choke, bypass caps, replaced other caps, cardas jacks, Tung Sol 5998 and Mullad CV4003, plus a few other things. I don't feel the need to go down that route with the SEX and as it turns out, I've probably spent more on the Crack than on the SEX. I am both glad and slightly saddened that there seems go be far less options for tube rolling on the SEX.

[JamieMcC]

The Choke mod on the Sex is pretty inexpensive and gives good results.

[Nathan]

I'll bite- what might I expect from the choke mod? From what I saw you swap a Choke for a 680 r resistor-

Would each choke go between 6u and 10u and the 16u and 20u? I see C3X choke has been specified.

[mcandmar]

Lower noise floor, which is usually perceived as better detail and resolution.

Another cheap tweak is to replace the 1.2k cathode resistor with a HLMP6000 LED and 500R resistor in series as it gives a slightly better high frequency response.

[Nathan]

My amp is very quiet with the headphones I typically use-

Do I have the location right? 6u/10u an 16u/20u?

What wattage resistors if I use the led/resistor mod?

[mcandmar]

Yes, just replace those two 680ohm resistors with the chokes.

You can use a 1/4watt resistor for the bias, but given the choice i would use a 1/2 watt.

[GregCravens]

As per my experience you should have a look at the glassware pcb based attenuators You must use the A5 in sex. Also try to fit the A5 from new it was a tight fit between the power switch and headphone out socket.
Also try the Valab 23 stepped attenuators in Cracks which are relatively inexpensive.

[corndog71]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201239685917

I recently picked up a few of these and they sound great.  That is I can't hear them affecting the signal.  My usual go to are the pots by PEC but they still suffer from balance problems at the lower end.  These stepped attenuators are great and ship quickly.

[JamieMcC]

Some pics here of my Sex with the A5 pcb based attenuator in the link below I used the Vishay Dale RN55 mil spec resistors and was very pleased with the results it is a tight fit but do able.  I might have eased the headphone socket or the power switch over a millimetre or two but cant actually remember which.

http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=6924.0

[Jim R.]

I have to agree with Lee -- the audio note resistors are very nice, especially for the money (about the same as the PEC. The PEC is a nice,  rugged pot, but a little warm sounding to me, and out of about 5 I've used over the years, I think all of them were a bit scratchy at the lower end of the  range.

The one expensive ($100) pot with the shielding between the two halves (forget the brand at the moment) are also very nice (as they should be), but they seem to be harder to find these days.

I would avoid the cheaper, smaller Alps plastic element pot -- the one in my current amp does not track well at all -- actually the worst tracking of any pot I've ever used. When I dismantle the Orcas for the DOF kit, I'm also going to put that Audio Note pot in place of the original. Still not quite sure what  I'm going to use for my s.e.x., but since I'm making it larger (10" x 12" and am machining the larger plate myself, I can pretty much use any pot I want, and put it where I think it will work best for me (amp covering most of my nightstand.)

-- Jim