How to pick a potentiometer?

[weegidy]

In my car I've just had an Amp and speakers. I connected my iPod to a potentiometer and then the output of the pot to the amp. I just upgraded to a very nice amp and I am getting some seriously weird affects with my potentiometer.

I am currently using an Alps 50k log taper pot and it was perfect for my old set up, and I don't know why it doesn't work on my new one. Right now the volume turns up very quickly until the pot it at about 90degrees (out of 270) and then it maxes out even though the line out is only log(33) which is 3.5% the max signal strength (if I'm not mistaken).

I read online that 1k is ideal for controlling line out level audio. Is this true. Would replacing my 50k pot with a 1k pot make the difference? If not what can I do to get my audio to turn up proportionally to how much I rotate it.

If there are any sort of calculations that can be used to determine the value of potentiometer for a given voltage that would be nice, also.

Thanks!

 

[wmgwizard]

Not sure why you would run a secondary pot, why not just throttle the volume with the iPods own volume control?

Beyond that, just about every car stereo built in the last few years has got at least an auxiliary input if not actual dedicated iPod controls.

Seems like there are easier ways to skin that cat.

 

[weegidy]

Sorry. I do not want a secondary pot. I am talking about replacing my current pot. And the amp just has RCA inputs.