The volume control on the Element IV is discrete, not digital. It’s near the bottom of the page.
One of the reviews mentions “digital volume” but I take that to mean that there is a digital output on the little screen that provides the volume setting. I think the Element IV might have everything you’re looking for.
Appreciate the suggestion, generic. I do have some ability to adjust the L/R balance on my source via digital controls. What I’m hoping to avoid with a stepped volume control is the L/R drift that often occurs at lower or higher volumes with potentiometers. It sounds like the discrete volume control on the Element IV would achieve that though.
The Atom 2 appears to use a potentiometer (which is exactly what I’d expect for an amp in its price range). Amir observed a slight drift in the Atom 2 amp he tested, on the order of +/- 0.25 dB. But still described its balance as “excellent”.
A discrete or stepped volume control would be an upgrade though (imho) from my current amp, which also uses a potentiometer.
Cam refers to it as “digital” a couple of times in his review. If that’s wrong, then it needs to be corrected.
The high number of steps (255) suggests to me that it could be digital though, and he’s not just referring to the display.
I adjust volume alot when I’m listening btw, so that’s why the characteristics/pros/cons of the volume controls are of some interest and importance to me.
Yes, that’s a routine issue with analog pots.
Taking audio advice from him is akin to asking a crazy cat lady for investing advice. His shaking earlobes from loud music may have rattled his brain.
Three factors affect perceived channel imbalance, and separate volume controls address all of them:
JDS describes the volume knob as using optical sensors. This pretty much would have to mean the volume is controlled digitally.
Otherwise, the optical signal would have to be sent to a motor which turns an anolog control. That seems unlikely.
A good stepped analog control shouldn’t drift. There are upsides and downsides though to all of these different approaches. And one of the downsides to stepped analog controls that use resistors is that they have fewer steps.
Goldpoint is supposed to be one of the better mfrs of this type of controller. And the most they currently offer are 47 steps, which allows adjustment in 1.5 dB increments.
The Element IV’s discrete optical controller offers 255 steps, with 0.5 dB increments according to Cam. So it allows finer volume adjustment.
They won’t address the drift in a poorer quality volume control though. I’m sure that balance controls, or separate volume controls can have many good uses. But this is not one of them imo.
I honestly don’t know enough about it. And will have to leave this question to the other experts here. Some more info on this, and how the discrete stepping is achieved would be helpful though.
Could be digital, I don’t know for certain, but:
The way to know for sure is to write to JDS. You’ll get a prompt response, of that I am certain.
Let us know what they say.
Whatever JDS is doing, here is a brief primer on how to do a stepped attenuator with resistors. All of the following is copied from Khozmo Acoustic, but I imagine you could find similar material at various electronic tutorial sites.
1. Series. Main reason to use this is invariant input impedance presented to source. Volume steps up as fewer resistors stand between input and output.
2. Shunt. Advantage here is that only a single resistor is in the signal path. Disdavantage is that now the source sees a varying input impedance.
Hope that is of some help.
The question is whether the volume is adjusted in the digital domain, not whether it’s controlled with some digital electronics. The optical encoder could easily be used to switch relays that bring resistors into or out of the signal path. That would work for any of the resistor-based approaches (series, shunt, ladder).
I was going to say it would have taken less time to email JDS than it did to repeat my reply and add nothing to the conversation.
Instead I emailed JDS and they confirmed that volume is controlled digitally.
Per JDS:
Yes, Element IV uses a proprietary digital volume control technique with auto gain. Please find more detail in the Element III and Element IV release articles:
JDS Labs Element IV max continuous power:
3.2 W (10.18 VRMS) @ 32 Ω
2.3 W (6.11 VRMS) @ 16 Ω
@ 16 Ω is not in the specification overview.
Torben
Thanks Lou and NickZ for the replies. This adds some much-needed clarity on how the Element IV’s volume controller works. The 2nd article in NickZ’s post explains that it is indeed a digital attenuator.
I noticed that as well in some of the illustrations. The first article in NickZ’s post explains what the resistors are for… but it’s not part of the volume control.
Fwiw, Goldpoint uses resistors in series for their stepped analog controllers. And they claim they get good transparency with this approach, without some of the disadvantages of the other approaches.
The lower the volume, the more resistors will be in the signal path though. This is probably why they feel their 24 step controller is best. Because it uses fewer resistors than the 47 step controller.
The steps aren’t all uniform in their 24 step controller though. Instead, it uses a tapered approach, to help reduce the size of the steps where it’s potentially needed more.
order has been placed
Torben
PS: Thanks for the great comments and suggestions in this thread
Congratulations👍
Let me know when it arrives and you have had your first experiences.
ELEMENT IV in da house!
