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As a cost-effective alternative to our full-featured Stereo and Surround Monitoring Controllers MTC 2381 and SMC 2489, the SPL volume controllers are dedicated solely to 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 circuitries to circumvent inevitable disadvantages of passive circuitries that result in impedance variation and therefore degraded linearity in frequency response.

Who needs analog level control?

Simply put, most DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) users. 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.

A further, very interesting 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.

Additional Reasons for employing the Volume 8

High quality balancing stages with extremely good common mode rejection (minimize interferences and disturbances in the signal paths) The mute switch allows for very fast reaction times in cases where loud speakers or ears should be protected (for example, with computer crashes) Users of analog summing without monitoring facilities can cost effectively improve their systems