Hopstretch Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Due to a change in the configuration of my system, I'm looking at getting a passive volume control/preamp for the odd occasions when I want to listen to my monitors rather than my headphones. Does anyone have any experience with the NHT ones? Or any thoughts on whether it's worth the extra tenner (and cable costs) to go balanced all the way through my system? (They go for far less than MSRP online. The Goldpoints look nice but are way too spendy.) The HP4 converts balanced input to SE, but the Quads have XLR ins and -- given it's a desktop system -- there's a lot of RF interference about. All cable lengths will be pretty short once it's properly set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agile_one Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 (edited) Have had good experience with the Luminous Audio Axiom passives, both SE and Balanced. Luminous Audio Technology - Axiom Passive Preamp Currently running a SPL Volume2 balanced betwixt CDP and amp, but it is not passive. Description: Sound Performance Lab Of course either of these choices takes away your diy joy. <edit> just took a look at the NHT links - appear to be good choices, too. I'd go the extra for balanced. Can use that SE if needed, and have balanced for future needs at little cost. </edit> Edited July 12, 2009 by agile_one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 This one looks cool, too. SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2 Monitor Control Station from zZounds.com! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 This one looks cool, too. SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2 Monitor Control Station from zZounds.com! Ta Monkey man. I did look at their Nano, but didn't want to have to fart around with TRS outputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Can you drill some holes in a chassis and do some easy soldering? If so why not DIY one... or better yet, make Nate do it for you. You can get a 4 pole stepped attenuator on ebay for next to nothing and XLR's sockets are cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 How about Level Pilot: A Big Knob from TC Electronic - DV247.COM TC Electronic Level Pilot Desktop from zZounds.com! Sounds ideal for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Can you drill some holes in a chassis and do some easy soldering? If so why not DIY one... or better yet, make Nate do it for you. You can get a 4 pole stepped attenuator on ebay for next to nothing and XLR's sockets are cheap. You'll pay for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Sounds ideal for you! The big knob part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 You'll pay for this. It's what you do best, curring round holes in metal plates. Just buy one of these and some sockets... Now can anybody tell me what this is..? I want... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Hmmm. High Quality Audio & Industrial Attenuators Those look interesting, and are quite reasonably priced. Looks like a PITA to solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I sure hope they come pre-assembled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Nate, while you are at it, can you build me one with two xlr inputs and one xlr output. I would love a remote control as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetoole Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Well damn, that finally looks like a SA with sufficiently small steps. Color me interested, especially since they seem to be asking a fairly reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Well damn, that finally looks like a SA with sufficiently small steps. Color me interested, especially since they seem to be asking a fairly reasonable price. I say group buy with you and Nate doing the building. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I sure hope they come pre-assembled. I would assume that they are assembled. My comment was intended to reflect upon the price vs. labor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 not to mention the backwards resistors and rather static attenuation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 ... static attenuation ...That can't be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecclesand Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Ta Monkey man. I did look at their Nano, but didn't want to have to fart around with TRS outputs. They (SM Pro Audio) also have the iNano http://www.smproaudio.com/produkte/monitor-controller/inano-passiver-lautstaerke-controller.html which has 1/8 input and output in addition to the TRS jacks. I had one on order but OneCall kept dicking me around with the backorder so I cancelled it. I then found the NHT Passive Volume Control from ListenUp here in Colorado for $69. It works great and I have noticed no change in SQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 not to mention the backwards resistors and rather static attenuation There is only one volume level that you need and it's MOAR LOUD!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I say group buy with you and Nate doing the building. Thanks! And is anyone going to take a flyer on one of those attenuators? I'm tempted, but it won't fit in any of the projects I have going right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I'm sorely tempted to pick one up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I'm sorely tempted to pick one up. I shot them a message asking about discounts if we do a group buy since I'm guessing we could find a way to buy 10 of these in a heartbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Heard back from the man'f, GB thread started in the appropriate forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetoole Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I say group buy with you and Nate doing the building. Thanks! I am thinking I dont like this idea. How about you and Nate? I will probably pick one up when I get around to building myself a KGSS or something, so if you can wait a year or so, I will let you know how they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Well, I originally bought the NHT PVC Pro but it didn't work for me as it wouldn't attenuate all the way down in the the right channel. So it went back for a refund and one of these arrived today. It appears to do the job well and gives me the flexibility of a second input for the speakers -- just in case something like, say, an analog source were to show up one of these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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