Monitor Attenuator

[HudHudson]

Can anyone recommend a simple stereo monitor attenuator? I want to output from a DAC-1 to a single pair of monitors and be able to control the volume. Couldn't find anything seaching the threads...don't need a switcher like the Coleman or SPL.

[tINY]

Check out the NHT PVC, you can get it direct form NHTpro fro about $100



-tINY

[chadd]

Here are a few ideas:

Atty
NHT PVC
Goldpoint

You can also check out
this thread
and this thread

[HudHudson]

Thanks, folks...looks like the PVC is just what I need.

[joeq]

don't forget to check out the M-patch

[psytechguy]

PVC works great in tandem with the DAC-1.

[Brian Middleton]

don't forget to check out the M-patch

I've been checking it out for about a year now, since it was first announced by another company (Violet Audio). But AFAIK it's still vaporware. Can you tell me where I could actually buy one of these things?

[joeq]

Originally posted by Brian Middleton
I've been checking it out for about a year now, since it was first announced by another company (Violet Audio). But AFAIK it's still vaporware. Can you tell me where I could actually buy one of these things?

whenever you are ready to actually buy something do your search on Froogle- you will get only sites that are selling- no reviews, forum discussions or studio equipment lists. And the prices are right there on the results page.

Zzounds has it for $99

I got one of these for my volume control. I chose it over some other simple attenuators because of the mono button.

[Brian Middleton]

D'oh! It never occurred to me to just do a web search for retailers. The manufacturer site gives links only to national distributors, which (in the US distributor's case, at any rate) offers no help in finding retailers.

Thanks for helping me find my brain...

[maks]

Originally posted by HudHudson
Can anyone recommend a simple stereo monitor attenuator? I want to output from a DAC-1 to a single pair of monitors and be able to control the volume. Couldn't find anything seaching the threads...don't need a switcher like the Coleman or SPL.

doesnt the dac-1 knob act as a passive attenuator seperate from its DA??

[HudHudson]

Originally posted by maks
doesnt the dac-1 knob act as a passive attenuator seperate from its DA??

Yes, the guy I borrowed it from filled me in (the output attenuators had been selected for headphone only and he didn't give me the manual). Problem solved.

[junior]

fwiw, i was just on the rme newsgroup and heard about their new monitor controller called the suzy 1. it's passive and list price is around $100.

http://www.synthax.de/index_gmbh.html

looks like it was designed as a companion product for the fireface 800. might be a pretty good solution...

(edit) oops, looks like you've solved your own problem...

[hollywood_steve]

I can't comment on any of the others, but the NHT PVC is good enough quality that it wouldn't be out of place in a seriously high end rig. For the sub-$100 price, I don't think it can be beat.

[Mozart]

It really seems good, the one on http://www.goldpt.com/ model SA2X. I think I'll order the parts and build one myself. I need switch on the input too, so i can A/B with my Cd player and also select different Speaker amp (or active speakers) on the out. I'm wondering if anyone uses one right now, so he/she can share sonical experience from SA2X with us on the board.

[Mozart]

can't comment on any of the others, but the NHT PVC is good enough quality that it wouldn't be out of place in a seriously high end rig. For the sub-$100 price, I don't think it can be beat

Does it have stepped attenautor?

[hollywood_steve]

No, the PVC is a continuously variable pot, but with a very nice feel. Since I purchased my API 7800/8200 rig several weeks ago, I no longer have any specific use for my PVC, but I haven't got around to selling it yet either. For the little money I'll get for it, it would be worth keeping it around for the one time it might come in handy.

For stepped attenuators, you have a choice between a huge old unit from Daven, Shallco, Langevin, Cinema Engineering (among others) and a small new unit from Goldpoint, DACT and ???

For something completely different, have you considered a linear fader, like a stereo P&G 3000 or 8000? The 3000 is more expensive, up around $175 or $180 by the time you add in tax and shipping. The 8000 is only around $125 for the stereo model.

see here: http://www.manquen.net/png/

balanced stereo? that could be sort of cool to have a fader master attenuator.

[418]

Originally posted by joeq
whenever you are ready to actually buy something do your search on Froogle- you will get only sites that are selling- no reviews, forum discussions or studio equipment lists. And the prices are right there on the results page.

Zzounds has it for $99

I got one of these for my volume control. I chose it over some other simple attenuators because of the mono button.

How do you like it so far?

[HudHudson]

Been using the PVC for a few days with my DAC-1; it solved the problem of having stepped attenuation on the Benchmark, and now I can dial in just the right levels. Very transparent, just like straight-wire "anti-gain". Thanks to those who recommended it.

[joeq]

Originally posted by 418
How do you like it so far?

I like the M-Patch a lot. I previously used a Mackie mixer which colored the sound a lot. I noticed an immediate difference switching to passive. Very clean. I turned the trims down on the speakers so I could use the M-Patch nearer the top of its range, where it seems more 'open'. For all I know however, the trims on my monitors may also be passive attenuators that are slightly rolling off the highs as they are turned down.

In a way the highest praise I can give this unit is that as a volume control it has all but 'disappeared' . I don't think about it or notice it anymore. What more could you ask for a $100 box?

The big plus that I DO notice is the mono button- I reach behind one speaker to turn it off, push the mono button, and have one speaker mono to check my balances. Before, if I wanted mono I would have to do something in the software or repatch something. Now it is just a button press away. Well, two.

I put the unit's Aux inputs into the patch bay so I can still route hardware stuff directly to the speakers if I want to.

I used to have a stepped attenuator on an old console and ergonomically I actually preferred the steps to a continuously variable pot. It kept me more objective about my listening levels. Either I was at 3, 4, or 5 and I knew it.

[418]

Originally posted by joeq
The big plus that I DO notice is the mono button- I reach behind one speaker to turn it off, push the mono button, and have one speaker mono to check my balances. Before, if I wanted mono I would have to do something in the software or repatch something. Now it is just a button press away. Well, two.

That's unexpected... I would've thought that the mono button would have sent the mono signal to both speakers?

The way my room is set up, I'd need a 2 or 3 meter cable run from the attenuator to my powered monitors. Being a passive attenuator, would that affect the highs too much?

Thanks...

[joeq]

Originally posted by 418
That's unexpected... I would've thought that the mono button would have sent the mono signal to both speakers?

The way my room is set up, I'd need a 2 or 3 meter cable run from the attenuator to my powered monitors. Being a passive attenuator, would that affect the highs too much?

Thanks...

It _does send the mono to both speakers, but in order to get meaningful information about "mono" I turn one speaker off - that's why I said 'two buttons'

I have a very short cable, I'm not sure what a longer cable would do. I did read somewhere that the people who custom build high quality passive attenuators want to know your cable run and even the model of speaker you will be using.

[largeunit]

Originally posted by hollywood_steve
I can't comment on any of the others, but the NHT PVC is good enough quality that it wouldn't be out of place in a seriously high end rig. For the sub-$100 price, I don't think it can be beat.

Actually the NHT PVC works very poorly at low volume levels, it loses the appropriate stereo image and gets distorted. Otherwise, I like it.

[Nevelicious]

Or... for 50 bucks you can get your DAC1 upgraded. Thats what I did.....

[418]

Originally posted by joeq
It _does send the mono to both speakers, but in order to get meaningful information about "mono" I turn one speaker off - that's why I said 'two buttons'

I have a very short cable, I'm not sure what a longer cable would do. I did read somewhere that the people who custom build high quality passive attenuators want to know your cable run and even the model of speaker you will be using.

Thanks for the info, although I gotta say, I never thought it necessary to only use one speaker to make mono judgements. Anyone else here doing that, too?

[jondoe]

Just to give a different perspective on the M Patch.

I returned one recently because I thought there was a large discrepancy in volume between the right and left sides. I think mine was off by 6db at least!

I have a feeling that mine was probably just broken. All of the extras made it look pretty inviting - mono button, mute etc.

The NHT PVC is the same price with none of these extras. I wonder if they use the same parts as the M Patch? It looks like they spec out the same.

I'm curious about the NHT PVC. Some seem to think its great and some don't. I think simplicity in a device like this is critical. The Goldpoint could be the best option, but $550 is a little steep. If I'm going to spend between $500 and $1000, I think I'd get the DAC-1.

[418]

Gotta say that my eye's on the new Atty2'd... Just waiting for availability and price.

[lucey]

Originally posted by HudHudson
Can anyone recommend a simple stereo monitor attenuator? I want to output from a DAC-1 to a single pair of monitors and be able to control the volume.

um ... fellas

the DAC1 has a switch on the rear that makes the front panel knob control the line level output (in addition to the headphone level.)

Nothing more is needed


If you need a stepped attenuator ... check the GS classifieds.

[thudclakboombap]

Originally Posted by jondoe

Just to give a different perspective on the M Patch.

I returned one recently because I thought there was a large discrepancy in volume between the right and left sides. I think mine was off by 6db at least!

I have a feeling that mine was probably just broken. All of the extras made it look pretty inviting - mono button, mute etc.

The NHT PVC is the same price with none of these extras. I wonder if they use the same parts as the M Patch? It looks like they spec out the same.

I'm curious about the NHT PVC. Some seem to think its great and some don't. I think simplicity in a device like this is critical. The Goldpoint could be the best option, but $550 is a little steep. If I'm going to spend between $500 and $1000, I think I'd get the DAC-1.

I know this thread is old, but id thought id note that i found the same problem when I got my M-Patch,but i was able to fix it.

Solution? remove/replace the screws that hold the feet on the box. Apparently they had some problems at the assembly plant w/ the feet getting attach w/ screws that were too long, effectivley shorting the pcb to ground. Fortunatley nothing was damage, just a bit more attenuation on one side! Mine was the right channel, front right foot. I conacted the sales guy in Australia, he seems pretty shocked at the discovery and confirmed the findings on a couple units he had there and promised to fix it going forward. This was last November, hopefully this is a non-issue now.

Aside from this quality control issue, ive been happy with mine and feel its a good deal for all the options it has, i use it between a rosetta 200 and a hafler p4000, sounds fine (after the fix).

If this was an expensive piece id prolly be pretty mad,but youll be pretty hard pressed to find something else w/ all these features for that price. Also being someone who enjoys a little DIY, it did't bother me to much after i found i could fix it.

[brianroth]

Of course, for *really* Old School, there's:

http://www.shallco.com/frameset.html

Click on audio attenuators at the left. A stepped stereo ladder is almost the size of a Campbell's bean with bacon soup can <g>.

Bri