By avoiding any active.
Relay stepped attenuator schematic.
A stepped attenuator also has very good channel matching but whereas even the expensive dact only gets you 24 steps typically with 2db between them 128 or even 256 steps of 0 5db each are quite easily achieved with relays.
The differential amplifier delivers a voltage balanced signal to the attenuator stage.
δ1 v1 0 boards are now available at amb audio shop.
Attenuator that provides good performance yet can be built with a few basic tools 1 this unit is designed for use in 50 ω line provides a total attenuation of 71 db in 1 db steps offers respectable accuracy and insertion loss through 225 mhz.
Overview δ1 delta 1 is a high end stereo stepped attenuator implemented in a r 2r resistor laddertopology.
256 steps 0 5 db step size.
It is very unusual to see a stepped attenuator with more than 64 steps.
However relay attenuators do have a couple of advantages among which that they can be built for a reasonable cost.
Its ir remote control provides convenience over solutions with stepped attenuator rotary switches.
In a high end audio system a noticable sound improvement over potentiomeneters is obtained also compared to audio grade potentiometers.
It uses high quality miniature latching relays and precision discrete resistors to achieve a level of performance unattainable with conventional potentiometers or mechanical switch based rotary stepped attenuators.