Volume Channel Balance

[seawitch]

Hi all.

Finally got myself some NVA gear. P20/a20 combo with LS2 and CS copy IC's (rothwell). I have some questions....

Using Royd standmounts in a small 4x4 metre room, I don't need to turn the volume up much at all. I am getting some channel balance issues. This happens JUST at the volume level I would like, any higher and it's a tad too loud (for me and housemates). I can turn the pot up until both channels are even, and slowly turn it back until i get the desired volume with both channels even, so I CAN get it to work but I could do without the hassle, and I find generally with pots turned up the music is less 'stressed' . I think my desired volume is right on the border line.

Can I change the pot in the pre to help with this? (I did try attenuators but killed the sound completely).

Also, do I need more amp? Would a higher powered power amp give me more at this same/low volume? or am I good as is.

One more question, I read somewhere that the direct input on the p20 can be used as a tape out??? I can't understand this. Maybe I read wrong.

Thanks guys.

[karatestu]

I better let Paul or Tomasz answer your questions.

What do you think of the sound (volume pot aside ) ?

[CN211276]

Hi all.

Finally got myself some NVA gear. P20/a20 combo with LS2 and CS copy IC's (rothwell). I have some questions....

Using Royd standmounts in a small 4x4 metre room, I don't need to turn the volume up much at all. I am getting some channel balance issues. This happens JUST at the volume level I would like, any higher and it's a tad too loud (for me and housemates). I can turn the pot up until both channels are even, and slowly turn it back until i get the desired volume with both channels even, so I CAN get it to work but I could do without the hassle, and I find generally with pots turned up the music is less 'stressed' . I think my desired volume is right on the border line.

Can I change the pot in the pre to help with this? (I did try attenuators but killed the sound completely).

Also, do I need more amp? Would a higher powered power amp give me more at this same/low volume? or am I good as is.

One more question, I read somewhere that the direct input on the p20 can be used as a tape out??? I can't understand this. Maybe I read wrong.

Thanks guys.

I assume your speakers are quite efficient. I have the same A20/P20 combo and this issue only occurs at volumes too low for even low level listening. The speakers are Cubettes.

[savvypaul]

Hi all.

Finally got myself some NVA gear. P20/a20 combo with LS2 and CS copy IC's (rothwell). I have some questions....

Using Royd standmounts in a small 4x4 metre room, I don't need to turn the volume up much at all. I am getting some channel balance issues. This happens JUST at the volume level I would like, any higher and it's a tad too loud (for me and housemates). I can turn the pot up until both channels are even, and slowly turn it back until i get the desired volume with both channels even, so I CAN get it to work but I could do without the hassle, and I find generally with pots turned up the music is less 'stressed' . I think my desired volume is right on the border line.

Can I change the pot in the pre to help with this? (I did try attenuators but killed the sound completely).

Also, do I need more amp? Would a higher powered power amp give me more at this same/low volume? or am I good as is.

One more question, I read somewhere that the direct input on the p20 can be used as a tape out??? I can't understand this. Maybe I read wrong.

Thanks guys.

The pot used in the P20 will have imbalance in approx. the first 15 percent of travel. Turn it beyond that point to remove the imbalance, then adjust to desired position (as you've described). It is a feature of the film pot. There are film pots that don't have the imbalance but they don't sound nearly as good.

What source are you using? Does it have an adjustable output or it's own volume control?

The direct input bypasses the input selector (the switch)...it still goes through the volume pot.

[Latteman]

As Paul said I use two inputs with adjustable volume so the p20/50 is set to ‘12 o’clock’ and I adjust sources remotely
For vinyl- it’s rude not to be loud
I have used 2 A20s - good way to upgrade cheaply

[scotty38]

The direct input bypasses the input selector (the switch)...it still goes through the volume pot.

Are you sure about this? I remember Richard saying the direct input and tape outs are the same and can be used “in” or “out” and bypass the volume control. I use these on a P50 to feed my integrated and a headphone amp, so essentially a switch box for turntable, CD and Streamer. The volume control only affects the three “normal” outputs.

Edit: Also the reason you can’t have a source connected to the direct and normal inputs at the same time.

[savvypaul]

The direct input bypasses the input selector (the switch)...it still goes through the volume pot.

Are you sure about this? I remember Richard saying the direct input and tape outs are the same and can be used “in” or “out” and bypass the volume control. I use these on a P50 to feed my integrated and a headphone amp, so essentially a switch box for turntable, CD and Streamer. The volume control only affects the three “normal” outputs.

Edit: Also the reason you can’t have a source connected to the direct and normal inputs at the same time.

Because using it IN' is different to using it 'OUT'. Think about it...

[scotty38]

Yeah I am trying to think about it and can’t get my head round it. Logic says a direct input would be volume controlled obviously but that there’s no vc going the other way is what’s doing me.

Think I need to draw it and work it out.....

[savvypaul]

Yeah I am trying to think about it and can’t get my head round it. Logic says a direct input would be volume controlled obviously but that there’s no vc going the other way is what’s doing me.

Think I need to draw it and work it out.....

OK. When you use tape out to connect your headphone amplifier - what do you set the volume control on your P50 to?

[scotty38]

Drawn it, sorted. Tape out is same as direct, vc has no effect.


Something like this?