Passive Volume Control for DACs/Sources

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Madaboutaudio, Dec 20, 2015.

  1. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Hey guys, I am getting a pair of Kali LP6 monitors and my DAC is a Schiit Modius. I was planning on using my EC BW2 as a pre-amp, but @famish99 recommended going for a passive volume controller. My dealer is recommending a Palmer Monicon, which based on @wormcycle 's comments in this thread, seems to be good. But I have also read that these affordable controllers can be prone to channel imbalance and imaging issues, in the lower end of the pot.

    I fear Modius' XLR Out will have too much gain that I might not be able to cross the lower end on the pot of the Monicon. I guess, using the RCA outs of the Modius instead of the XLR is one option. Or I could go for slightly better passive controller. But at that point, would it make sense to go for a separate pro D/A box altogether? I would love to hear any insights you might have to share.

    It's just that, returning an item is not an option in India. So I am trying to avoid any mistakes as much as possible.
     
  2. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    The Kali's have a volume control on the back. Adjust that so you get the travel you want on any other pot. That said...

    I have a BW2 as well as a GoldPoint attenuator. FWIW I have actually used both in conjunction with my active monitors and it works well. In my case both pots at 50% and the monitors with no attenuation.

    For my taste, however, I found when I had a Gungnir DS as a dac that the Schiit 'fatness' was a bit much through BW and I preferred the leaner DAC1541. I expect Modius will also have teh fatness. Presently I am using just the GoldPoint.

    Play around! See what you like.
     
  3. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I looked up Kali LP6 and they cost roughly $170 each in the US, I would not spend more on volume control than on monitors. LP6 has gain control. If you set the gain on Kali reasonably low you should be able to use the middle of the pot range on both Monicon or Big Knob. I am using Monicon with LSR305 and I used it with KRK 10-3 and it was doing just fine.
    Monitor hiss was a problem on KRK with or without an external volume control.
    And I had no problems with Big Knob as well. There is nothing really between Palmer Monicon, or Big Knob, or JBL Nano patch+, and something like Goldpoint that would cost you, even used, $300-$400. I understand that not being able to return an item is a pain, but spending way more on volume control than on monitors does not make sense to me.
     
  4. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Thanks guys, that's reassuring. That’s correct, I am not willing to spend, as much as the speakers. My dealer just informed me that, he only has the L version of the Monicon, which costs $360 here. I'll need to hunt down the regular version or, look for a Nanopatch or a Big Knob. But even these cost around $150 here.

    @wormcycle , between the Monicon and the Big Knob, do you have a preference for one over the other?

    @GoodEnoughGear , it totally slipped my mind that you have used the BW2 as a pre for your monitors. If I am unable to find a good pot, I’m just going to pursue this option.
     
  5. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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  6. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Big Knob or Monicon will be fine, JBL NanoPatch+ will be good too. Big Knob is 2 in 2 out with the switch on both input and output. And for Big Knob you will need XLR to TRS cables on input and output.
     
  7. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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  8. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    The nano is balanced in & out too - just 1x out and no switch like the M-Patch.
     
  9. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    Yup my bad. Was thinking of something else from when I was considering a passive solution.
     
  10. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    I have the SMPRO M-Patch V2 which, from the photos at least, appears to be the same as the JBL MPatch, re-badged and re-boxed.

    http://www.smproaudio.com/index.php/en/products/monitor-controllers/m-patch-v2

    It works, but meh.

    On related note Im purging several volume controls. Anyone interested, PM me for a shipping costs only SMPRO M-Patch V2
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2020
  11. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    @ogodei what do you think of that Rolls? I've been thinking about experimenting with a passive, but my problem is I need balanced out for my Vidars, and RCA out for my rather ancient but still working fine subs. Had considered an M-patch and transformers to convert the second output, good ones are expensive...then my enthusiasm for the idea goes away and I just go listen to some music.
     
  12. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    That was back when I was testing various transformers for XLR to RCA. It worked just fine for that, I never tried the powered volume control on it. I think my audio nervosa led me to more expensive options in the end.
     
  13. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    @Biodegraded , thank you. The JBL starter kit looks tempting, but might end up expensive than buying locally, given the international shipping charges and >50% import duty these days.

    P.S: So I added it to the cart and tried to checkout to see the shipping charges, turns out, they are unable to ship it to my location.

    And @lithiumnk just informed me that the import duty has been recently bumped to 75%.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2020
  14. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Hey guys, just wanted to drop in and say thanks for all the input and help last week. I ended up getting the Mackie Big Knob Passive, as it was the only option available. It’s built really well and gets the job done. Also, as ya’ll suggested, I was able to take advantage of the gain controls on the monitors, so I am mostly between 11 to 2 o’ clock positions on Big Knob’s pot. My only nitpick is, the knob turns way too easily. I wish it had a bit more friction to it and didn’t turn this easily.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’m sorry I can’t read this whole thread. I currently use a Creek OBH-12 or 22 ( I have both, they’re basically the same) for my mackie hr624 powered monitors. They’re passive preamps with remote control that engages power to change volume and then disconnects the power when not adjusting volume so it remains passive. It’s a very cool design. I haven’t compared it to other units but it seems to get good reviews and sounds fine to me.

    but I’d like to get a balanced passive preamp. And so I’m wondering if there are any balanced passive preamps with a similar design.

    also if there’s a best of passive balanced preamps post here I’d love a link. It’s impossible to sort through all these pages. Otherwise I’m looking at the very expensive gold point unit which is crazy because I bought the pair of hr624’s used for less money.

    cheers maties
     
  16. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    I liked the hattor I had. Check out their mini xlr passive preamp
     
  17. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Wow 1k! I could buy 2pairs of my mackie speakers (used in mint condition) and still have money left over. Yikes.
     
  18. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    "Best of" for balanced might equal spending money. I've settled on goldpoints for non-remote controlled, Hattor "The Big" Passive Preamp for remote controlled. The Hattor has an external PSU and no power in the audio path.

    Hattors come up used all the time, you just have to pay attention to the configurations since most of them are customized.

    As gone through in detail earlier in the thread, you can DIY an equivalent to the goldpoint for maybe 2/3 the cost in parts plus your time.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    JBL Nano Patch.

    Downside is that you will need 1/4" TRS to XLR cables for the output. However, if your Mackies accept 1/4" input, then a stereo 1/4" TRS patch cord will work. All cables are easily found at Guitar Center.
     
  20. beemerphile

    beemerphile Friend

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