Passive Balanced Monitor/Amp controller/preamp

[bunnyfuzz]

TC Electronic | Level Pilot X

https://www.tcelectronic.com/Catego...sories/LEVEL-PILOT-X/p/P0C32#googtrans(en|en)

 

[Harmonie]

These are the sellers that have it on Aliexpress. The first link allows you to choose 220V/110V. The second one is 230V by default and requires you to put a note if you need 110V
<https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_>
or
<https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_>

This is the seller (SanChun) on Taobao. They have some advanced versions with wide band frequency control.
<https://market.m.taobao.com/apps/ma...&_page_home_isweex_=true&useIframeInWeb=false>

Tempting,
That's the kind of gear I was looking for.
The last link is only in Chinese and seems it's fitted for a mobile's web site

 

[MusicNBeer]

I would query on the potentiometer resistance for any passive unit. 10K is a good compromise between stressing the source component and minimizing high output impedance from the passive unit. High output impedance will combine with cable and amp input capacitance and roll off top end. Some amps have a shunt capacitor at the input of up to 500pF.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

This is the seller (SanChun) on Taobao. They have some advanced versions with wide band frequency control.
<https://market.m.taobao.com/apps/ma...&_page_home_isweex_=true&useIframeInWeb=false>

I cannot access this one even with Google Translate. I was hoping to find something with 8 channels.

 

[Daverz]

Love all the volume control devices you guys are turning up. But I'd start to consider a DAC with a digital volume control, though with balanced connections that can be $500 (Topping D70). It's the cleanest solution.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I use JRiver on my streamer PC (Baetis Prodigy) and a Drokos USB knob to control the volume in my exaSound e38/II. Works for as many channels as you have.

 

[EchoChamber]

Love all the volume control devices you guys are turning up. But I'd start to consider a DAC with a digital volume control, though with balanced connections that can be $500 (Topping D70). It's the cleanest solution.

I second this comment. I've subjectively compared my D90 in DAC mode with the Schiit Freya in passive mode as a volume control and the D90 in Pre mode on its own, and I'll give the edge to the built in digital volume of the D90. You get a hair more resolution.

 

[Harmonie]

I second this comment. I've subjectively compared my D90 in DAC mode with the Schiit Freya in passive mode as a volume control and the D90 in Pre mode on its own, and I'll give the edge to the built in digital volume of the D90. You get a hair more resolution.

I have the same intention: Use D90 in DAC mode + a preamp with IR. Therefore looking for above alternatives.
I don't need any preamp for other use., but not 100% satisfied with the D90 preamp's function.
"Subjectively" I had more fun with the A22 in preamp mode that I have with the D90 at the moment.
I hope/wonder if adding a preamp (passive or active) would help here.

 

[EchoChamber]

I have the same intention: Use D90 in DAC mode + a preamp with IR. Therefore looking for above alternatives.
I don't need any preamp for other use., but not 100% satisfied with the D90 preamp's function.
"Subjectively" I had more fun with the A22 in preamp mode that I have with the D90 at the moment.
I hope/wonder if adding a preamp (passive or active) would help here.

You can try something like a Schiit Freya S or T that will give you 3 different modes and they each sound subjectively different (and measure differently too). In my system, with the Freya S in pre-amp duty it does add an “analog” feeling to the presentation. Even passive mode will have a small amount of it giving you a more “rounded” presentation. I like the Freya S and I’m keeping it for my office system working with the Modius to drive a pair of Genelec 8030C. But overall I still prefer having that extra edge on transparency with the D90 in pre mode.

 

[yamada]

If my understanding is correct, DAC output SNR can be worsen by using its preamp functionality due to the device's noise floor even if chip internal digital volume has high enough resolution such as 32bit of ESS chip. I'm not an electric engineer though , I/V conversion part and output buffer and etc has fix noise floor and it deteriorates SNR when chip output (either of volutage or current) is reduced. that's why low-noise-floor analog preamp (it really doesn't matter if it's passive or active) is required to realize SNR above 110db-ish in current modern DAC implementation. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[YSC]

Just ordered a Khozmo passive with basic series 10k option and XLR output, can't wait to see how it performs, I decided to pay extra on the channel balance at large attenuation and it's amazing look, plus no need for extra power supply can minimize cables crawling around my small room

 

[Brab]

TC Electronic | Level Pilot X

https://www.tcelectronic.com/Catego...sories/LEVEL-PILOT-X/p/P0C32#googtrans(en|en)

View attachment 68144

Tried this one. I thought I heard significant SQ decrement.

 

[Brab]

I use this relay based one from AliExpress:
View attachment 52962

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997802910.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.37a54c4dPYMiAM

It's cheaper than the stepped attenuators and works well in my system.

Martin

Can it be used with two input sources, one XLR, one RCA, one at a time? One supplier says yes, another no. Thanks.

 

[Harmonie]

Can it be used with two input sources, one XLR, one RCA, one at a time? One supplier says yes, another no. Thanks.

I'm not sure at all about that.
I had built one of those. The part supplier indicated that it would be one or the other then.
Passion

 

[YSC]

Just ordered a Khozmo passive with basic series 10k option and XLR output, can't wait to see how it performs, I decided to pay extra on the channel balance at large attenuation and it's amazing look, plus no need for extra power supply can minimize cables crawling around my small room

Ended up using that for half a year, can’t be more satisfied, beatiful, smooth and very precise small steps to use and completely transparent, the steps are fine enough that I don’t ever want a potentiometer anymore

 

[Brab]

TC Electronic | Level Pilot X

https://www.tcelectronic.com/Catego...sories/LEVEL-PILOT-X/p/P0C32#googtrans(en|en)

View attachment 68144

wasn't happy with this one.

 

[enio nery]

I use this relay based one from AliExpress:
View attachment 52962

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997802910.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.37a54c4dPYMiAM

It's cheaper than the stepped attenuators and works well in my system.

Martin

can the logo be rubbed off with solvents like alcohol?

 

[Doodski]

can the logo be rubbed off with solvents like alcohol?

Apparently acetone works.

 

[Harmonie]

Uh Uh, beware with Acetone, it may be well too aggressive and alters the material underneath.

 

[enio nery]

I use this relay based one from AliExpress:
View attachment 52962

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997802910.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.37a54c4dPYMiAM

It's cheaper than the stepped attenuators and works well in my system.

Martin

and also does it have a popping sound when plugged in? i just realized it doesnt have a on off switch?