The best tube amp attenuator ever!

[martinw]

You could certainly buy my 1W Cub for less than that.  :)

Also, Power Scaling is cheaper and better.

[HTH AMPS]

Sounds pretty transparent down to -6dB, after that the bass thins out.

I dare say that you could re-EQ the amp to compensate for this though.

Do you think this is an inevitable consequence of the Fletcher-Munson effect?

yep, I'd say so (from what I can remember of sound engineering classes at Uni; hungover)  :lol:

that attenuator is certainly one of the better ones I've heard - it really retained the treble and mids.

the lower settings really are just down to the speaker not moving enough air imo (as per JPF's comments above)

[HTH AMPS]

You could certainly buy my 1W Cub for less than that.  :)

I was thinking that buying a 1w bedroom amp would be better too.

What valve are you using in the Cub's output stage? - maybe an ECC82 in parallel SE???  Are you running the B+ quite low too so the volume stays moderate?.  I remember my experiments with this kind of set up and found that there was a sweet spot with the B+ in keeping the amp's punch.

[MrBump]

Has anyone used Weber attenuators?

I'm fast coming to the conclusion that it's hit and miss regarding attenuators - nothing more guaranteed to split the crowd...

[jpfamps]

You could certainly buy my 1W Cub for less than that.  :)

I was thinking that buying a 1w bedroom amp would be better too.

What valve are you using in the Cub's output stage? - maybe an ECC82 in parallel SE???  Are you running the B+ quite low too so the volume stays moderate?.  I remember my experiments with this kind of set up and found that there was a sweet spot with the B+ in keeping the amp's punch.

In my experiments with varying the B+ on output stages using a regulated power supply there do seem to be points at which the amp sounds better than others.

I expect with all attentuation you are fighting the non-linear nature of sound perception versus volume (Fletcher-Munson effect) and ability of the amp to drive the speaker cone.

[hunter]

Has anyone used Weber attenuators?

I'm fast coming to the conclusion that it's hit and miss regarding attenuators - nothing more guaranteed to split the crowd...

I had one, wasn't that great, I ended up not using it and sold it to some Marshall NMV full stack dude.

[martinw]

You could certainly buy my 1W Cub for less than that.  :)

I was thinking that buying a 1w bedroom amp would be better too.

What valve are you using in the Cub's output stage? - maybe an ECC82 in parallel SE???  Are you running the B+ quite low too so the volume stays moderate?.

Right valve, but it's in push-pull. The voltage is lowish. Sounds great, and authentically like a big amp!  :)

[Philly Q]

You could certainly buy my 1W Cub for less than that.  :)

I was thinking that buying a 1w bedroom amp would be better too.

What valve are you using in the Cub's output stage? - maybe an ECC82 in parallel SE???  Are you running the B+ quite low too so the volume stays moderate?.

Right valve, but it's in push-pull. The voltage is lowish. Sounds great, and authentically like a big amp!  :)

Have you got any more details (and pictures!) of the Cub, Martin?  I'm intrigued!

[HTH AMPS]

You could certainly buy my 1W Cub for less than that.  :)

I was thinking that buying a 1w bedroom amp would be better too.

What valve are you using in the Cub's output stage? - maybe an ECC82 in parallel SE???  Are you running the B+ quite low too so the volume stays moderate?.

Right valve, but it's in push-pull. The voltage is lowish. Sounds great, and authentically like a big amp!  :)

I've messed round with the same thing, but not PP yet - just // SE.  What primary Z are you using with the ECC82s in PP - triodes are quite forgiving in this respect afaik.

The tones I got were really nice with the ECC82 output stage, but it wasn't quite as grunty as a pentode.  I know most players I've spoken to weren't keen on using valve types they weren't familiar with, but I think better results could be had with pentodes such as 6SL7/6SN7 or maybe even a 6G6G or 6K6.

[martinw]

Have you got any more details (and pictures!) of the Cub, Martin?  I'm intrigued!

No pics, as both of my prototypes have been sold now. I have the parts for another one, but not had the time yet to build it!
It's built on a small chassis, about 8" x 6", and has gain, tone and volume controls as standard. It's all valve and has 2 x ECC83 and 1 x ECC82, and is good for about 1W. It'll cost about £400 for the head, and can be configured in a number of different ways (fancy a 1W Trainwreck?)  :)

[martinw]

I've messed round with the same thing, but not PP yet - just // SE.  What primary Z are you using with the ECC82s in PP - triodes are quite forgiving in this respect afaik.

The tones I got were really nice with the ECC82 output stage, but it wasn't quite as grunty as a pentode.  I know most players I've spoken to weren't keen on using valve types they weren't familiar with, but I think better results could be had with pentodes such as 6SL7/6SN7 or maybe even a 6G6G or 6K6.

The primary Z is quite high, but possibly not as per the manual. Don't want to go into too much detail!  My results with the triodes have been excellent, and for selling-on I'm happier using common, current valves.

[hunter]

I've messed round with the same thing, but not PP yet - just // SE.  What primary Z are you using with the ECC82s in PP - triodes are quite forgiving in this respect afaik.

The tones I got were really nice with the ECC82 output stage, but it wasn't quite as grunty as a pentode.  I know most players I've spoken to weren't keen on using valve types they weren't familiar with, but I think better results could be had with pentodes such as 6SL7/6SN7 or maybe even a 6G6G or 6K6.

The primary Z is quite high, but possibly not as per the manual. Don't want to go into too much detail!  My results with the triodes have been excellent, and for selling-on I'm happier using common, current valves.

So is this like a Zvex Nano?

[HTH AMPS]

I've messed round with the same thing, but not PP yet - just // SE.  What primary Z are you using with the ECC82s in PP - triodes are quite forgiving in this respect afaik.

The tones I got were really nice with the ECC82 output stage, but it wasn't quite as grunty as a pentode.  I know most players I've spoken to weren't keen on using valve types they weren't familiar with, but I think better results could be had with pentodes such as 6SL7/6SN7 or maybe even a 6G6G or 6K6.

The primary Z is quite high, but possibly not as per the manual. Don't want to go into too much detail!  My results with the triodes have been excellent, and for selling-on I'm happier using common, current valves.

I know that data sheets will tell you to use a 50k primary in SE mode, or around 25k if you're paralleling the triodes.  As for PP, I know the AX84 Firefly uses a 22.5k primary via a Hammond 125A OT, though many people seem to think it sounds better with a lower primary than that.  Oh, and the Firefly is self-split PP, not the typical PP arrangement you see in a plexi for instance.

It's an interesting theme for sure, I'll have to get off my arse and get one built past prototype stage - my tests were just done with the 1w output stage added onto an existing amp.

[Philly Q]

Have you got any more details (and pictures!) of the Cub, Martin?  I'm intrigued!

No pics, as both of my prototypes have been sold now. I have the parts for another one, but not had the time yet to build it!
It's built on a small chassis, about 8" x 6", and has gain, tone and volume controls as standard. It's all valve and has 2 x ECC83 and 1 x ECC82, and is good for about 1W. It'll cost about £400 for the head, and can be configured in a number of different ways (fancy a 1W Trainwreck?)  :)

Sounds great!  I may be up for one...eventually!

[jibidy]

OK WTF....

Buy a new amp or something. That kind of money does not seem worth it at all.