I will try to describe what I need and also what I have tried that I expected to work, but didn't. Maybe someone can lead me in the right direction.
I need a small amplifier (Mono or Stereo) that accepts a mic input, perhaps for a mini-electret mic. The amp can run off a small battery. The most important part is that the very lowest end of the output power needs to be able to be adjusted. I will use this amp to drive a set of headphones. I need to be able to turn it on and make a VERY small adjustment to the volume control so that the output can bearely be heard. The problem I have been having is that as soon as the amp is turned on, it is already too loud. Most people aren't concerned with the low output that is difficult to even hear, but I need that part of the range for what I'm doing.
I was using a cheap amplifier kit (http://www.ebay.com/itm/FA672-SMALL-POWER-AMPLIFIER-2W-MICROPHONE-WITH-SPEAKER-KIT-/320993538753). This is a good example of the size and quality that I need, but the adjustment POT on the board was so sensitive that the slightest movement raising the volume skipped right past the range I wanted and was too loud. Keep in mind, that when I say too loud, I am still talking about sound levels that you would have to strain to actually hear, so too loud is relative here.
It was a 10K POT, so I thought if I replaced it with a special 5 turn 10K POT, I would have more control and would be able to make more exact, small incremental adjustments, but it still didn't work any better. It seemed as though the chip on the board had a threshold point at which it turns on and you can't get any softer than that.
Is anyone familiar with an amp or pre-amp/amp combo that I can control the output level in a way that I can control the very lowest end of the volume spectrum in a linear fashion from no sound at all up to a point where you can first hear a sound. The range I need is just below the point where you consciously hear it, but there is volume there.
I know no one else cares about this part of the output range, but I do need it for a project.
Please help me if you can.
thank you.
Bob
I need a small amplifier (Mono or Stereo) that accepts a mic input, perhaps for a mini-electret mic. The amp can run off a small battery. The most important part is that the very lowest end of the output power needs to be able to be adjusted. I will use this amp to drive a set of headphones. I need to be able to turn it on and make a VERY small adjustment to the volume control so that the output can bearely be heard. The problem I have been having is that as soon as the amp is turned on, it is already too loud. Most people aren't concerned with the low output that is difficult to even hear, but I need that part of the range for what I'm doing.
I was using a cheap amplifier kit (http://www.ebay.com/itm/FA672-SMALL-POWER-AMPLIFIER-2W-MICROPHONE-WITH-SPEAKER-KIT-/320993538753). This is a good example of the size and quality that I need, but the adjustment POT on the board was so sensitive that the slightest movement raising the volume skipped right past the range I wanted and was too loud. Keep in mind, that when I say too loud, I am still talking about sound levels that you would have to strain to actually hear, so too loud is relative here.
It was a 10K POT, so I thought if I replaced it with a special 5 turn 10K POT, I would have more control and would be able to make more exact, small incremental adjustments, but it still didn't work any better. It seemed as though the chip on the board had a threshold point at which it turns on and you can't get any softer than that.
Is anyone familiar with an amp or pre-amp/amp combo that I can control the output level in a way that I can control the very lowest end of the volume spectrum in a linear fashion from no sound at all up to a point where you can first hear a sound. The range I need is just below the point where you consciously hear it, but there is volume there.
I know no one else cares about this part of the output range, but I do need it for a project.
Please help me if you can.
thank you.
Bob