DACT

DACT stepped audio attenuators. Danish Audio ConnecT manufactures a range of High-End stepped audio attenuators for Hi-Fi, A/V and Pro-Audio, used by DIY Audiophiles and audio equipment manufacturers throughout the world: Both models CT1 and CT2 use a resistor network built on non-inductive SMD resistors. The SMD resistors are mounted on a very compact PCB, offering a very short and ‘pure’ signal path. All switch contacts and connectors are gold plated.

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Attenuator-Data-Sheet

The CT2 Audio Volume Controls are high quality stepped 24-position attenuators. Designed for maximum sonic quality, accuracy and reliability. This makes them equally suited for audiophile and  professional applications.
Available as master volume control with 60dB attenuation range (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 decks) and as individual channel fine adjustment (CT2-10k-1/fine) with 0.5dB level change between each step (only available with 1 deck)
Their series resistor networks consist of 23 non-inductive, low noise, SMD metal film resistors.
The layout of the PC Boards and the choice of SMD resistors have reduced the signal path to a minimum length (typical five times shorter than conventional stepped attenuator designs with leaded resistors). The PCB design combined with the special resistors also account for the very low series inductance and the very low stray capacitance.
The result is a bandwidth beyond even the most demanding audiophiles’ requirements.
There has been special care taken to ensure the durability of CT2. Therefore, all contacts and PCB traces are gold plated to prevent any corrosion. As a result, the CT2s will maintain their specifications after long time of use even in hot and humid environments.

FEATURES

SCHEMATIC

  • Low noise, non-inductive, metal film SMD resistor network
  • Compact design
  • Entire signal path gold plated
  • Shorter signal path than conventional attenuators with leaded resistors
  • Reduced inductance and stray capacitance
  • Improved sonic quality
  • Improved accuracy - 0.05dB tracking and 0.05dB attenuation accuracy
  • Improved reliability
  • Increased bandwidth
  • Reduced distortion, less than 0.0001%
CT2 schematic

SPECIFICATIONS

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MAXIMUM RATINGS

Note

  Parameter

Conditions/comments

Value

Unit

1

Switching capacity

(resistive load)

2V/2A
 24V/0.6A
  42V/0.4A

AC/DC

1

Power dissipation

(each resistor)

100

mW

1

Operating ambient temp. range

 

-25 to +70
(-13 to +158)

deg. C
(deg. F)

1

Storage temperature range

 

-40 to +85
(-40 to 185)

deg. C
(deg. F)

 

 

 

 

 

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Note

  Parameter

Conditions/comments

Value

Unit

 

Number of positions

 

24

 

 

Indexing angle

 

15

deg.

 

Switching function

 

shorting

 

 

Gold plating, contacts

(hard-gold)

3

μm

 

Gold plating, wiper

(hard-gold)

8

μm

2

Mechanical life

 

>25,000

cycles

 

Switching torque

1-, 2-, and 4-decks versions
6- and 8-decks versions

1.5
3.5

Ncm
Ncm

 

Nut tightening torque

 

max. 300

Ncm

 

 

 

 

 

DC ELECTRICAL  CHARACTERISTICS

Note

  Parameter

Conditions/comments

Value

Unit

 

Total resistance range

(standard versions of CT2)

10, 20, 50,
100, 250, 500

kOhm

 

 

(fine-adjustment version)

10

kOhm

3

Total resistance accuracy

(new)

0.1

%

 

Attenuation steps, standard version

(source output impedance = 0),
  (load input impedance = infinite)

0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,
16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26,
28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 42,
46, 50, 60, infinite

dB

 

Attenuation steps, version for fine- adjustment

(source output impedance = 0),
  (load input impedance = infinite)

0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3,
3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5,
7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5,
10, 10.5, 11, 12, infinite

dB

3

Attenuation accuracy

(new)

+/- 0.05

dB

3

Matching accuracy (tracking)

(between two decks)

+/- 0.05

dB

4

Contact resistance

(new)

max. 0.01

Ohm

 

Contact capacitance

(adjacent contacts)

1

pF

 

Series inductance

(10 kOhm, input to ground)

max. 0.4

μH

 

AC ELECTRICAL  CHARACTERISTICS

Note

  Parameter

Conditions/comments

Value

Unit

4

 -3dB bandwidth

(10k, A = -6dB)

50

MHz

5

Noise voltage

(10k, input to ground pin)

12.8

nV/Hz

6

Total harmonic distortion

(A = -6dB, fo = 1kHz)

max. 0.0001

%

 

Notes

1

Exposure to maximum rating conditions for extended periods of time may affect device reliability

2

One cycle is defined as a full rotation from one end stop to the other and return

3

Typical values at +25 deg. C ambient temperature. Output (pin 2) unloaded

4

Measuring probe input capacitance 1 pF

5

Theoretical value for an ideal 10k resistor

6

Measured with Panasonic Audio Analyzer VP-7722P

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Attenuation-curves

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OUTLINE DRAWING

Attenuator-Outline-drawing

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NOMINAL DIMENSIONS
Dimensions common for all models

Dim.

  Description

Number

D1

Shaft diameter

6.0mm
(0.236”)

D2

Shaft length

14.5mm
(0.57”)

D3

Nut thickness

2.5mm
(0.10”)

D4

Thread length

9.5mm
(0.37”)

D5

Distance

2.5mm
(0.10”)

D6

Distance

25mm
(0.98”)

D7

Distance to terminals

13.2mm
(0.52”)

D8

Distance 1 between terminals

14.7mm
(0.58”)

D9

Distance 2 between terminals

20.2mm
(0.80”)

D10

Orientation pin width

2.5mm
(0.10”)

D11

Orientation pin height

1.3mm
(0.05”)

D12

Distance between terminal pins

2.54mm
(0.1”)

D13

Terminal pin width

0.64mm
(0.025”)

D14

PCB bottom width

8.7mm
(0.34”)

D15

Total height when mounted in PCB

36.5mm
(1.44”)

D16

Maximum width

25mm
(0.98”)

D17

Terminal distance to PCB

6.0mm
(0.24”)

D18

Terminal pin thickness

0.64mm
(0.025”)

D19

Terminal pin length below PCB

3.5mm
(0.14”)

D20

Distance from PCB bottom to shaft center

19.9mm
(0.783”)

D21

Thread type

M10 x 0.75

Panel-cutout

CONNECTIONS

Connections

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ORDERING INFORMATION

Part number

  Description

CT2-10k-1/fine

1-channel stepped attenuator, fine adjustment (0.5dB steps)

CT2-xxxk-1

1-channel stepped audio attenuate (mono)

CT2-xxxk-2

2-channel stepped audio attenuate (stereo)

CT2-xxxk-4

4-channel stepped audio attenuate (balanced stereo)

CT2-xxxk-6

6-channel stepped audio attenuate (AV audio)

CT2-xxxk-8

8-channel stepped audio attenuate (AV audio)

xxx refers to the attenuator resistance. Available resistances are 010 (10kOhm), 020 (20kOhm), 050 (50kOhm), 100kOhm, 250kOhm, 500kOhm

RELATED PRODUCTS

Part number

  Description

CT-ext1/S

Shaft extension kit, 200mm long extension shaft

CT-ext1/L

Shaft extension kit, 400mm long extension shaft

CT-conn1

Wire/connector kit including wires

CT-knob1/steel

25mm stainless steel knob

CT-knob2/steel

30mm stainless steel knob

CT-knob3/steel

38mm stainless steel knob

CT-knob4/steel

50mm stainless steel knob

CT4-25k-2
CT4-250k-2

Balance controls, 25kOhm and 250kOhm versions

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