Author Topic: can i sell my hotplate? (Read 1194 times)

goddamn electric · « **on:** April 14, 2008, 02:30:16 PM »

If i were to buy a marshall vintage modern head (which i believe has a master volume) would i ever need to use my hotplate? im not really in the know with master volume amps but from what i understand the master volume would let my run the tubes hotter and keep the volume down like an attenuator would. is that right?

cheers

Twinfan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:33:14 PM »

Nope - wrong :)

A master volume limits the signal getting to the power valves, so you just hear pre-amp distortion. A Hot Plate limits the signal getting to the speakers so you hear both pre-amp and power amp distortion.

I'd keep the hotplate if you already have one ;)

goddamn electric · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:40:47 PM »

cool,thanks for the advice twinfan, so what would i do? open up the master volume and then attenuate it to keep the volume levels lower?

Acolmiztli · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:41:52 PM »

Exactly. You'd run the master volume pretty loud, and then use the attenuator to lower it to a more acceptable level.

goddamn electric · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:44:59 PM »

ok cheers guys, its a pretty stupid question i know, i just wanted to be sure, ive never owned a master volume amp so i was just checking.

Twinfan · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:55:13 PM »

No probs!

The Hot Plate is like an external volume control, so you can crank your amp to where it sounds great with the valves running nicely, then lower the actual volume.