SPL Volume8 Multi Channel Volume Controller

The Volume8 Multi Channel Volume Controller from SPL is a straight-forward volume control designed to be a cost-effective alternative to SPL's full featured VC units. With minimized features, this volume control unit is dedicated solely to accurate level control.

The Volume2 model is intended for stereo applications, while the Volume8 can control up to eight channels. Both devices are designed with active circuitry to circumvent the inevitable disadvantages of passive circuitry that result in impedance variation and therefore degraded linearity in frequency response.

A majority of D/A converters and sound cards provide nothing in the way of analog level monitoring control, and this means the necessity of varying signal levels at the converter outputs. The result is a lowered bit rate in the monitoring signal, which leads to commensurate loss of audio quality. So, the Volume8 gives the DAW owner the opportunity to listen through an analog-based monitor playback device to hear the sounds in the DAW, as they are, and without signal degradation.

A further, application area is in the construction of a straight multi-channel playback chain, where the Volume8 is situated between the playback machine and either power amp and speakers or simply active speaker systems. In such cases, the playback machine must offer analog outputs. This provides for minimal financial and electronic efforts through the most direct possible playback path.

Common AV receivers employ VCA and DAC components which tend to produce more distortions, or the signal runs through further AD/DA converters for the volume control. Thus especially with SACD or DVD-A sources, only a high-quality analog, direct control of the source output ensures an unimpaired playback of the original information.

The Volume8 is built only with analog circuitry with a custom designed, eight-ganged potentiometer with attention to each and every gain level. It includes a large, 1.78-inch diameter graded, aluminum-clad potentiometer, offering more exact setting positioning, an illuminated passive mute switch from ALPS, and relay switching for all channels. Input and outputs are over DB-25 connectors (to multicore XLR or 1/4-inch TRS), and the power is supplied with a toroidal transformer. The more compact format housing allows for flexible desktop positioning near or below a computer monitor, and fits where other, larger format monitoring devices,might not.