DIYHififSupply

The original Django Transformer Volume Control, hand-built by DIYHifiSupply in Hong Kong, was made with vaunted S&B (Stevens & Billington) UK-made TX-102 transformers. This one was built by the DIY staff in Hong Kong and the myriad point-to-point solder joints are perfect. The S&B-equipped TVCs sound exceptional (current Django's are made with supermalloy transformers sourced from Thailand). This one sounds better than new, because at the low signal levels a TVC is subjected to, it can take a very long time for the magnetics and the dielectrics to fully burn in. This one is. It has generally been a secondary linestage for certain amps, so it has seen modest use in the time I've owned it.

TVCs allow you to eliminate a power supply from your system, galvanically isolate the front end from the amplifiers, lower the chance of ground loops, and because they don't waste current as heat, Django linestages preserve fuller sound at low volume levels and offer plenty of drive at higher volumes, without burdening your overall system with too much gain. The basics:

- 4 inputs (3 RCA, 1 XLR); You can use a BAL>SE adapter for a 4th RCA input;
- 2 outputs, RCA/SE and XLR/BAL, switchable;
- 23 steps of attenuation + a +6db gain option (switched);
- Ground/Ground-Lift switch;
- Robust Ground post

Switches are Seiden (Japan). The case is painted steel for excellent shielding, and the TX-102 transformers are encased in mu-metal. One owner (me). OBM.