Lundahl Sound VC2361 6-Channel Volume Control Review

[Deleted member 58670]

64 steps in 1 dB increments.

It should have been 0.5 dB per step in my opinion. But then more than 64 steps would be required.
I’m also missing a display showing the attenuation in dB.

 

[Blumlein 88]

With such a high output impedance I would rather have seen a higher input impedance. OTOH, the input impedance probably gets plenty high just a few steps down from 0 db.

 

[Blumlein 88]

It should have been 0.5 dB per step in my opinion. But then more than 64 steps would be required.
I’m also missing a display showing the attenuation in dB.

I've built a lot of switched attenuators. After a lot of experimentation, loaning them to other people etc, I determined there is in fact no need for less than 1 db steps for music. You'll never switch a step and think, "I wish I could reduce/increase the volume a bit less than that." It is effectively subjectively continuous.

 

[Deleted member 58670]

I've built a lot of switched attenuators. After a lot of experimentation, loaning them to other people etc, I determined there is in fact no need for less than 1 db steps for music. You'll never switch a step and think, "I wish I could reduce/increase the volume a bit less than that." It is effectively subjectively continuous.

My Anthem AVM70 has got 0.5 dB steps, and they claim it’s all analog…. Most AVRs have 0.5 dB steps. Must be a reason for it?

 

[Blumlein 88]

My Anthem AVM70 has got 0.5 dB steps, and they claim it’s all analog…. Most AVRs have 0.5 dB steps. Must be a reason for it?

One ups-manship? My AV preamp has .5 db steps. Wish it were 1 db so it would step faster from the remote. Maybe auto-level setting all the channels they use the same volume chip so they need smaller steps for that. For basic volume it is more steps than needed.

 

[majingotan]

Love Lundahl products. Their rectifier chokes, power transformers and output transformers are of very high quality. I use their products on my tube amp and they deliver great subjective sound

 

[Blumlein 88]

Love Lundahl products. Their rectifier chokes, power transformers and output transformers are of very high quality. I use their products on my tube amp and they deliver great subjective sound

But according to Amir above, this is a different company from that one.

 

[Sokel]

Took me a while to find their page,a not very factional one:

Lundahl Sound Systems – Beyond High-End Audio there is ACOUSTIC AWESOMENESS

www.lundahlsoundsystems.com

No relationship with the nice transformer company,just same name.
They also have a DSP active crossover and a PSU,can't get to the product page to see if they have something more.
A lot of subjective wording though.

This one seems nice.

Thanks Amir!

 

[Jimster480]

Quite a cool device. Even if personally I don't think I would ever have use for one, it definitely looks pretty nice and apparently is totally transparent.

 

[restorer-john]

This is not going to be cheap.

With 6 balanced channels, there will be 12 sets of 6 groups of switched precision resistors, possibly 36 relays and the remote receiver, likely an analogue pot, read by an A/D line on the micro and a whole bunch of relay drivers.

And made in Sweden? Small production, not a big seller. I'm gonna say well over US$1,000. Probably $1499-2k.

 

[Deleted member 2702]

If the price of a product is not determined (or currently "secret"), deny to review it.

 

[restorer-john]

If the price of a product is not determined (or currently "secret"), deny to review it.

Why? It's a technical review. Price may determine ultimate value, but has nothing to do with measured test results.

Wait until you find out a price before voting.

 

[Deleted member 2702]

Why? It's a technical review. Price may determine ultimate value, but has nothing to do with measured test results.

Wait until you find out a price before voting.

Because what to vote depends on its price.

 

[Fledermaus]

That's why I'll abstain from voting, but nice product and nice review nevertheless !
Wondering about the thing's use cases, what came to mind was volume control between DSP and amps in an active setup, in order to maintain good SNR on the whole volume range.

 

[Blumlein 88]

This is not going to be cheap.

With 6 balanced channels, there will be 12 sets of 6 groups of switched precision resistors, possibly 36 relays and the remote receiver, likely an analogue pot, read by an A/D line on the micro and a whole bunch of relay drivers.

And made in Sweden? Small production, not a big seller. I'm gonna say well over US$1,000. Probably $1499-2k.

Oh no we are guessing price. Okay, good idea. I'm guessing you are guessing low. I think about $4k US.

 

[Veri]

I'm guessing you are guessing low.

Oh, well I am guessing that you are guessing that he is guessing..

~1K+ seems likely. Curious how much it'll cost.

 

[Sokel]

Oh, well I am guessing that you are guessing that he is guessing..

~1K+ seems likely. Curious how much it'll cost.

As this is part of a three-piece system normally (VC - DSP x-over - PSU) I would guess 2k euro a piece or 5k for all.

 

[Purité Audio]

There doesn’t appear to be any indicator which channel you are attenuating or the level?
Keith

 

[AaronJ]

Because what to vote depends on its price.

It shouldn’t, and that’s not the point of the poll. Vote on its technical performance, features, and interface, decide whether to buy based on price.

 

[Soniclife]

I've built a lot of switched attenuators. After a lot of experimentation, loaning them to other people etc, I determined there is in fact no need for less than 1 db steps for music. You'll never switch a step and think, "I wish I could reduce/increase the volume a bit less than that." It is effectively subjectively continuous.

That's not my experience using my Devialet which has 0.5 steps, I might just be fussier than you about this. I also like that it feels like an analogue control (it's DSP) with smooth changes, where 1db changes are stepped enough to break the illusion.