questions on khozmo attenuator

[howardnair]

porcupunctis??  where did you purchase the khozmo? i see by their site they offer two types with no real explanation of the difference-the pics show no way to mount but partsconnexion shows the square one with a threaded mounting bushing-seeing  that you have the round one-where did you buy it?--the round one is so nice looking one would almost want to mount it where it would be visible--thanks howie

 

[Noskipallwd]

Howie, I have a square Khozmo in one of my amps. The difference between the square and the circular is the type of resistors used. The square type uses through hole axial resistors, and the round uses smd/smt (surface mount) resistors. I bought the square because I wanted to tweak it and I could order custom resistors, it is a shunt type and I replaced the caddock shunt resistors with vishay nudes. I have heard the opinion that the through hole attenuators sound better than the surface mount but have never been able to confirm that. The square will not fit in the Crack without making a custom top plate and base. I ordered directly from the manufacturer, because I wanted it populated with PRP resistors. I don't think PCX carries the smd model, probably have to order it direct. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

 

[howardnair]

shawn--thank you- i was just about to answer my own question-the khozmo site returned a answer to my question--i realized the one  difference was the resistor type-they give the consumer the choices you mention-just not sure of a sound difference-khozmo says they are similar-so having to make a choice-i ordered a round one direct from khozmo-the shipping is free-
this is for my stereomour--a crack is something i need to try -i do not own headphones-so both would have to be purchased-let me take that back- i have a pair of bose headphones-they are the quietphone 2-both noise canceling[great for long airplane rides]  and a headphone--not sure where these rate as a quality headphone except for the price--that being said i suppose a crack first -then upgrade to a better headphone

 

[matthewmckay]

I misread your post and thought the attenuator was packed with vishay nudes...  I bet that would sell for the price of a decent car !

 

[[email protected]]

I ordered mine through the website.  IIRC it was just a paypal transaction.  Then I had to wait for the thing to come from Warsaw (Warsazwa), Poland. 

The round one is priced similar to a Goldpoint and the square one has the discrete resistors (I think someone already said that, though).

Mechanically, it feels like it could withstand a nuclear blast.  It just has that hefty, solid feel that tells you that this ain't no standard carbon potentiometer.  I thought there was a definite sonic improvement as well.  I definitely noticed that the channels were more closely matched and also thought the whole sound was a bit clearer, more definite. 

I would guess that the square one would be all that and maybe a little more.

 

[Noskipallwd]

Oh yeah, 48 vishay nudes, you would have to have an alarm system on the amp. No just the 2 shunt resistors. I really like the looks of the smd model and it is all enclosed, should be durable. I wonder if they make their own switches, because they are extremely smooth and quiet. I have a 24 step gldpt. Miniv in my crack, I really like having 48 steps with the Khozmo, highly recommended.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

 

[Grainger49]

Shawn,

Is the Khozmo stereo?

 

[Noskipallwd]

Grainger, it sure is stereo, my bad. That should be 96 resistors, (plus the two I/O), I start having trouble when I run out of fingers and toes to count with. I bet it's alot of fun populating one of these.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

 

[howardnair]

96 vishay nudes-just for easy computing at 15.00 each thats 1400.00--sometimes i wonder if i had the money if i would go to the expense-
then there is this beauty from Alps 759.60
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350338636424?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

i believe we are all a little "mad"-i have several scott amps and a preamp-from 1962 give or take a year or so-that is 50 years -they have inside the volume pot what appears to be no more than a small graphite roadway of a slight variance in thickness -and a contact-they sound just fine-maybe even better than fine--even tho selective reasoning is not listed as one of the basic  human instincts-it will surely help me enjoy my khozmo

 

[jrebman]

Randall and/or Shawn,

Can either of you tell me the real dimensions of the non-smd version of this attenuator -- how much clearance in either direction from the mounting hole do you need, and how deep from the bottom of the top plate?  Both assuming the unit is mounted, so not including the length of the shaft, etc.

Thinking I may want to put one of these in my Smack, which I'll most likely be doing a custom base and brass top plate for.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[[email protected]]

Just checked the website and couldn't find dimensions anywhere.  I went ahead and sent and email to the only contact address I could find.

I will advise as soon as I learn anything. 

By the looks of the pictures, the square ones are just plain enormous.  They look larger than the round one that I got but pictures can be deceiving.

 

[Paul Joppa]

The installation guide has dimensions:

http://www.partsconnexion.com/prod_pdf/Khozmo_install.pdf

Other pictures show an extended PC board to teh back with the high-zoot series resistors, might add 10mm or so, but the basics are here.

 

[Noskipallwd]

Hey Jim,
The one I have is 2" front to back, (not including the shaft)' width is 1 3/8"', and height is 1 5/8". The newer models have the PCB with the I/O resistors and solder points on the bottom. So you will have to account for wires running to it in your measurements. They do not have a key that goes into the mounting panel to stop rotation of the body. On my Bijou I used a thick aluminum front panel so I used my dremel to make a shallow indentation the shape of the body to hold it in place, I don't think you could do that with the Smack's top panel.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[jrebman]

Thanks guys -- Paul, my screen reader can't make sense of that pdf so that's why I asked here from somebody who has one.  Thanks for the pointer though.

Shawn, I'm assuming your dimenstions are with the unit in a typical horizontal mounting, and the bottom with the pc board is the underside, not the side opposite the shaft end?  It sounds like it's not as big as I thought -- more like a body length of 3 or more inches, so it should fit in most bh gear with a little coaxing and/or new top plate.

Thanks again folks,

Jim

 

[Noskipallwd]

Jim,
That is how I measured it, I was thinking, with the amount of surface area on the front plate you may be able to just snug the mounting nut good and use a little loctite on it. That may be enough to keep it from rotating, considering how smooth the switch turns.

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[jrebman]

Thanks, Shawn,  Sounds good and I could probably also use a small square of 1/32 sorbathane I have, or the ubiquitous blue tack, or any number of other methods to keep it from spinning.

With that great a number of steps, this is one stepped attenuator I would consider for use in a headphone amp.  Good stuff -- thanks.

-- Jim