Radial SAT-2 Stereo Audio Attenuator Monitor Controller

At the mid-low volume, balanced was panned to the right. The bottom rubber mat was poorly attached, skewed. I switched to the other cheaper passive volume control knob and it's working better. My current cheaper one is still panned but at the lower volume than Radial SAT-2. I liked the features but not worth the price.

================This section is just a quick October 2023 update, for a quick simple overview of current use.. (I'm putting this at the top, it is more current) Added Oct 18th 2023:..So I Recently changed my setup a bit got a new / good low-pile carpet under my entire pc desk setup.** For my setup (now) I'm using in order(source to speaker) :- Desktop PC- Sound Card - (Optical SPDIF-Output) / Optical cable.- Modius DAC - XLR outputs- SW-10 Starke Sound Subwoofers (2 in stereo config) XLR inputs.- Output from the subs passthrough-XLR to KALI AUDIO IN-8 V2My Radial SAT-2 is working perfect / flawlessly. I have new found appreciation for simplicity in stereo + 2 channel subs in stereo... in a smaller/medium room type, for music but it's also great for gaming.If you get one of the older version 'bottom pads' that tend to slip off a bit over time, especially from heat and dragging / moving the SAT-2, I Recommend you contact the company, explain the situation, I'm sure they can help you!!! :)Thanks, read on for my original, older, and slightly scattered info. I hope this update has helped, if you're looking for a BALANCED type Volume control, want to simplify your setup or just don't want to use a giant HTR receiver at your desk(like I had a while back) - this could be a new / better option for you.(following is relevent to my setup with the SAT-2 currently)-Only down side to my current setup is, I Don't have the tone control knobs and all that like an older Yamaha, but I barely ever used those, but it's ok because I've learned other ways to tweak/tone down the highs without using a tone control such as 'towing out' the speaker a bit, and not beaming at your ears so much. -- For this setup with my sound card,.. One additional point I want to say, since in this room with the Dual Starke SW-10's the bass is really good, but as night it's too much (For others, lol) In this living setup- So what I do in my sound card setting is I lower in the EQ.. 30Hz all the way down, 60 Hz half way, and set FlexBass (Crossover, but using it as a 'high-pass' in this situation) to 70 Hz - 90 Hz. This reduces the rumble bass a lot, for night time use. Then in day time, I set the EQ to default (Flat) turn flexbass off (Full Bass from subs)... I set the physical crossover knob on the Starke SW-10 subs to 65 Hz :) The Kali's run in Full Range but that's ok, more so for studio monitors... I prefer studio monitors for PC Desk, and passives for HTR.Good Luck================(ORIGINAL REVIEW):Returned mine as it was defective, but..I then went to the official Radial Engineering website, checked for the SAT-2, and hit ' BUY NOW ' - Which shows a bunch of the sellers/companies that sell the SAT-2. I chose to buy the replacement from one of those on that list, and my new one is working perfectly.Not saying the amazon sellers are all defective, but.. a little tip or advice, for something like this and the price- Check the official site, send them a message ask which sellers here on amazon are Authorized or Official linked sellers for Radial Engineering. This should help with your seller choice and buying the right one, i.e less risk of having issue.'not gunna say much about the defective one, just didn't work properly, problems at minimum volume playing in the right speaker at minimum volume, about 50% loud for no reason (defective) also other problems with volume being inconsistent. - I'm happy I have the replacement now and it's working well.:)This definitely is an upgrade from old" Behringer Monitor1 " // " BEHRINGER Multi Effect Processor, Black (MONITOR1) "With the Behringer I had this weird thing, going from around 0% - 20% it's playing out the left speaker more than the right, then passed that the right speaker comes on.I think the SAT-2 - still does this a LITTLE bit but not nearly as bad, The SAT-2 'left channel issue' is more like 0% - 3%When I Was using the Behringer Monitor1, I was using XLR also.----Side notes / bottom line.1. This SAT-2 is built like a tank, it's heavy / well built / solid.2. It has a grip pad attached to the bottom, here's part from the manual :- " NO SLIP PAD: Provides electrical &mechanical isolation and prevents the unitfrom sliding around."- works well, I have Tempered Glass on top of a table, it's not going anywhere with the grip. No Worries.3. The top is cold to the touch.4. The knob is not SUPER small, but it is not giant either, not as big as the Behringer, but it's also Not small in an annoying way.5. I'm not sure what the PROS / Audio Production use the variable DIM switcher for, but what I use it for is more control, - one can use it if you want more control at lower volume.- I'm using KALI AUDIO IN8 V2's connected STARKE SOUND SW10's(pair) XLR Pass-through, connected to the SW-10, then to Schiit Modi 3. I use a line level shifter to convert RCA-Unbalanced to XLR-Balanced (A really nice line level shifter either Ebtech or Morely(Morely is the new name) -- so about the output and the DIM control, I can use the DIM to lower the volume over all and have more control at night. Just an odd thing I found with the SAT-2 or odd but unique feature for me, because at night without using the DIM Switch, the KALI's do get loud, barely turning the knob. - Hope this makes sense to you. - in the day it's all fine and good. .. this is not a complaint, just a note, or feature I use sometimes. My KALI's are at the recommended 0dB volume setting.6. And finally, their customer support through the official Radial Engineer site is great. They're helpful.Gotta' say switching them from a surround sound preamp (Anthem Statement D1) with all the processing and stuff, to a straight digital to analog with SAT-2 / MODI 3 etc.. was one of the best choices I've made; instant control of my music and sounds good, ... Sounds good, + Loud & Clear...Oh one more thing, I was having bips and blips sounds from playing off Amazon Music with the SAT-2 but it seems it has gone away. I'm really not sure where the bips and blips sounds came from, but it's quite possible it was either my PC or the Amazon Music app / player having issue at the time. Sure glad it went away. My guess was or is, .. it's from the player/music buffering or catching up and causing audible 'BLIP' like sound. It's also possible something to do with my internet connection as the APP is a stream service for music and stuff.That's all I have, Hope this helps.------------------------Update(JUNE 2022) - About the bottom pad and heat issues): I had an issue with the pad coming loose slowly in summer-heat environment, I Contacted the Radial support they were more than helpful with this and let me know I had actually received an older version of the bottom pad. The newer ones use 3M Adhesive(which is really good) and - also, an improved pad(made of different material). Thank you for the awesome customer service/support!!!

This thing feels incredibly sturdy. It's surprisingly heavy which is good because it's heavy enough to stay flat even with 4 XLR cables plugged in and dangling off the desk behind. Nice foam piece underneath to keep it from moving around. Totally silent as far as I can tell.