SKU: OSD-VKR-120
OSD VKR-120150W In-Wall Knob Style Resistor Base In-Wall Volume Control (White, Almond, Bone)
Resister-based volume controls like our VKR120 are often used with multi-channel amplifiers and impedance-matching speaker selectors. This is not an impedance matching volume control and features optimized sound quality with minimal low end roll off due to high permeability steel utilization. The VKR series of transformerless volume controls offers the widest frequency response of any volume control on the market today with virtually no high or low end roll off resulting in audiophile sound quality. Other features include two ounce double-sided G10 glass epoxy PCBs, a non-shorting design utilizing a "make before break" switch which prevents the amplifier from ever seeing a dead short and 12-14 gauge solderless speaker terminals with easy top termination. Every volume control includes a color coded knob and mounting screws.
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Warning:
This product can expose you to chemicals, including vinyl chloride, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Volume Control Type: 150W Resistor Based Knob Style
- Power Handling: 150W Peak; 75W RMS Per Channel
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (3dB, +0)
- Insertion Loss: 0.5 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Total Attenuation: 36 dB (Max)
- Steps: 11 (Make Before Break)
- Resistor Based, NOT Impedance-Matching!
- Wiring Requirement: Up to 14 Gauge Wire
- Removable Input and Output "Quick Connect" Phoenix Connectors
- Fits in a Standard Single Gang Box - See LV1 for Mounting Bracket
- Unit Dimensions: (L x H x D) 1.62" x 2.5" x 2.5"
- What's Included: White, Ivory and Almond Plates, Inserts, Screws, and Knob
- Warranty: 5 Years
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21 Questions asked
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Joaquim • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Can I use four VKR120 along with a impedance matching switch? As it seems a very good solution for an audiophile user to distribute music among 4 zones, the user manual warnings not to use resistor-based control volumes with a speaker selector box.
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Joaquim:
You can use something like our DSM4 4 zone passive speaker selector with dual source selection. You would need to enable the Protection switch internally if you used the VKR-120 volume controls since they have no impedance matching capability. The problem is that you decrease the power handling per channel from 140 watts down to 70 watts. The good news is like the VKR-120 which features resistors in the signal path the same as the internal protection which are resistors as well. The Resistor based volume controls pass a broader Frequency Response with no high or low roll off. Plus the VKR120 will disconnect completely when the volume knob is turned all the way counterclockwise until the last click. The Auto former Impedance matching volume controls do a better job of controlling the Impedance Matching because it is variable based upon the setting you need. With the internal protection it is on or off no matter how many speakers are playing. I hope that helps.
TL/4917
Brad • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
I have Yamaha 803 , 1 pair Polk mc80 and a pair of Def Tech 6500. I want to drive all 4 speakers in an A+B configuration creating a 4 ohm load on the receiver. My intent is to have 2 separate volume controllers to adjust the volume of of each pair independently. My question is, is this the right controller for that application?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Brad:
The VKR120 is the ideal choice for your application. It gives you the best sound quality without the impedance matching you do not need. Wiring your speakers to A and B and playing both at the same time would produce a 4 ohm load. The Polk Audio is 8 ohm, the Definitive Tech says 4-8 ohm nominal. I assume it will work in your application. The VKR120 are resistor based that feature Break before make connection so there is a disconnect between clicks so there is no short between resistors. Plus when the knob is turned fully counterclockwise it is fully disconnected or off not just in-audible like the Impedance matching auto former based Volume Controls. Add to that it has broader Frequency Response with no high or low end roll off.
Good question...
TL/4935
trevor • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hello, I'm building an addition on my house and I'm planning on wiring in ceiling speakers. I have an Anthem mrx 510 and a bunch of audio source amp110's will send zone two of the receiver to the audio source amps and from the amps to the volume controls. Since each speaker will run on its own channel I should use this as opposed to impedance matching? Thank You
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Trevor:
Good choice, best sounding volume control for your application. You mentioned a bunch of AudioSource AMP110, are we talking 2, 3 or 4 or more? Typically you would connect the Receiver preamp to the Line 2 input of the first AMP110 and then join the second AMP110 from the line 2 output of the first. The line 2 output is a straight pass thru from Line 2 input only; it will not pass thru the signal from Input #1. You might also want to check if there is a loss of signal when you compare the output of AMP#1 vs. AMP#2. Depending on how many AMPs you connect you might want to consider using Y adaptors instead.
tim@osdaudio.com
Good luck
TL/5169
Vince • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Dear Tim
I came across the VKR120 (Audiophile Transformerless Volume Control) and would like to confirm few things:
1) in the specs, it says "Impedance: 8 ohms" ...I thought the impedance would be related to the speakers we connect to it. Could explain the meaning of this specification ?
2) Suppose that each channel of my amp (compatible with 4 to 8 ohms impedance) would drive two Yamaha VXC6W speaker (8 ohms impedance per speaker) connected in parallel ... so total impedance becomes 4 ohms per channel. If I connect a VKR120 to each of the speaker is it OK ? I guess in the worst case the impedance would be 4 ohms on each channel. I do not thing that I need an impedance matching VC in this kind of setup. Do you agree ?
3) "Fit in single gang box, depth 2.5". I do not know what is the size of a single gang gox in America. Could you tell me the ideal size of the box in which the VKR120 would enter ? Just in case, is it the same size for SVC205 ?
Other points related to my previous questions:
- could you confirm if XMP100 can convert stereo to mono signal or it would be better to use the preamp?
- I'm planning to buy this for my home in Japan. Is it compatible with 100V 50Hz (even if it is written 110V 60Hz in your specs) ? I suppose that preamp must be OK but not sure about XMP100....
I would like to finalize my decision and order soon. If you could come back to me soon it would be appreciated.
Thank you for you support,
Vincent
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
HI Vince:
1) The XMP100 is not multi Voltage, so it will not work for you in Japan. The XDMP300 is multi-voltage and will plug in directly using an adaptor plug.
2) The XMP300 will play true Full range mono when you set the switch to mono. You are limited to the two positive output connections from Speaker A. It is critical to maintaining an 8-ohm load. It will most likely go into protection mode with anything less than 8 ohms.
3) The VKR120 are resistor based Volume Controls that have a wider Frequency Response with little to no high or low-end roll-off. It is a break before make design and has no Impedance Matching Protection. It will work with whatever speaker or speakers it connected with but in your case with four each 8-ohm speakers in parallel this is not for you. The SVC205 with Impedance Matching is your best bet with a 4X setting for each which should cover the worse case where you have all four speakers playing at the same time. The SVC205 does feature a front panel on/off switch where it disconnects from the system. Note, turning the sound down to in-audible levels is not turning the Volume control off. It will continue diverting the signal to the internal transformer.
4) You will not need the Pre-One for your system.
Good luck
TL/5425
Todd • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Would the VKR120 (non impedance matching) be the correct volume control to use with the Bose SoundTouch SA-5 amplifier? The Bose SA-5 is a 2-channel stereo design that can handle up to four speakers, running two pairs of speakers in parallel. The SA-5 amplifier doesn't have an A/B switch for splitting the sound output of the two pairs of stereo speakers, and my plan is to put a volume control on each pair to effectively create two zones (one pair of speakers for each zone). Can I use two VKR120 volume controls to create an artificial A/B selector; one VKR120 between each pair of speakers and the SA-5 amplifier? All speakers are 8-ohm; one pair Klipsch AW-650-SM and one pair Bose 251. Thank you for any information and advice.
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Todd:The VKR120 will work just fine for your application. The VKR120 do not have Impedance Matching protection but that is not an issue with your application. Plus the VKR120 when the knob is turned all the way counterclockwise turns the zone completely off. The VKR can each be mounted near each pair of speakers (or zone) it is controlling or both mounted by the amplifier. If you are mounting the volume controls by the amplifier there is another option that would work. It is the SSVC2 Dual Zone and Dual Source Speaker Selector. You could connect SPeaker A to source A and Speaker B to source B. Or connect speaker A output to Source A and play both Zones 1 and Zone 2 each with on/off switch and dedicated volume control for each. Then you can expand by adding another Amplifier and source to Source B input on the SSVC2. So you could play a different source for each zone.Good LuckTL/5588