Author Topic: Help me with Power Attenuators Please! (Read 10605 times)

Brow · « **on:** November 27, 2005, 12:23:38 PM »

Hey guys.

In my thread asking about low wattage amps, a number of people mentioned that I should also consider buying a power attenuator to use with my current amps instead of buying a new, low watage amp.

What are my options when it comes to power attenuators?

I need something than can handle 30, 60w and 100w valve amps, be ohmage switchable (between 8/16 ohms would be fine) and not totally kill the tone of the amp.

The 3 options I've found so far are:

http://www.drzamps.com/airbrake.html
https://weberspeakerscom.secure.poww...weber/mass.htm
http://www.marshallamps.com/product....ductCode=PB100

I know there's also the THD Hotplate to consider, but they're not ohmage switchable so I'd have to buy both an 8ohm and a 16ohm unit.

Thanx for any help and advice

Craig

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2005, 12:49:26 PM »

The MASS is the only switchable one I think, the Dr Z is fixed, just like the THD! :(

The Powerbreak has the worst rep for tone loss

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2005, 12:59:43 PM »

apparently (according to _TOM_) the MASS is pretty rubbish too

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2005, 01:16:46 PM »

I called THD before I purchased my Hot Plate. I explained that I have one 8 ohm cab and one 16 ohm cab. They told me that as long as my head is set to 16 ohms, I could use both outputs of the 16 ohm Hot Plate without damaging anything.

math2014 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2005, 01:21:43 PM »

Some usefull links

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1036427&highlight=hotplate+mass
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1021295&highlight=hotplate+mass
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1091944&highlight=hotplate+mass

lulusg · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2005, 01:26:58 PM »

There is this site: www.ultimateattenuator.com/ . You can read the reviews on Harmony Central. Good luck :)

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2005, 02:31:26 PM »

Quote from: LULUSG

There is this site: www.ultimateattenuator.com/ . You can read the reviews on Harmony Central. Good luck :)

Looks great, but boy - that sure is pricey once yu've imported it!

Brow · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2005, 02:42:50 PM »

Thanx for the posts guys.

Quote from: indysmith

apparently (according to _TOM_) the MASS is pretty rubbish too

_Tom_ has the Mini Mass, not the Weber Mass. The Mini Mass has a lot less options and is also alot cheaper :)

The Ultimate Attenuator is totally out of my price range :? At the minute I'm currently going between the Weber Mass and the THD Hot Plate (providing I can mis-match the ohmage).

If I don't like the sound of my JTM60 combo after it's been repaired, I'll probably just sell it on and buy either the Cornell or Matamp low wattage amps which I mentioned in my other thread :)

Craig

HJM · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2005, 04:03:30 PM »

Forgot about the TAD - and I've got one. Excellent unit on a par with the Hotplate, only it's fixed impedance :( if you've had transformer problems with the Marshall I'd avoid a mismatch on the outputs! I'd be a bit wary of using a mismatched impedance at high volume, it'll probably be OK....just hope that you've got a well designed and built output transformer!

chrisola · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2005, 05:17:18 PM »

i use the 100w Weber Mass.

Sounded really good with my JCM800, not had chance to test it with my Fireball (should be getting it next week!)

The Mass has a speaker inside it which is supposed to help.. and has tone controls for the line out, switchable ohms, high\low range switch, and switchable treble boost.

For the money its fantastic... i've never tried the hotplate.. but the guy who bought my JCM800 has been emailing me about my Mass, he doesnt seem to be getting on with his Hotplate & the JCM800 and wants to know if the Mass would be better....

Brow · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2005, 09:23:12 PM »

Thanx for the posts guys.

At this moment, I'm considering taking the easy way out and going for the 100w Weber Mass. Because it has the switchable Ohm settings and I wouldn't have to worry about blowing anything up by mis-matching in the wrong way :D

indysmith · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2005, 09:34:48 PM »

Weber Mass seems pretty cool actually after reading about it. Not as good as HotPlate though...

Peterku · « **Reply #12 on:** November 28, 2005, 12:02:12 AM »

I saw the TAD Silencer in action a few days ago. With its clever toneshaping functions it was simply amazing. 8)

Brow · « **Reply #13 on:** November 28, 2005, 10:35:46 AM »

Thanx for the new posts guys.

As I need switchable impedance, and don't really want to risk mis-matching my amp, attenuator and speakers, I think my best (and only option that I've found) is to go for the 100w Weber Mass :D Unless anyone know of any other attenuators that have switchable impedance?

Craig

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2005, 12:19:41 PM »

You need to email THD about impedence.

Author Topic: Help me with Power Attenuators Please! (Read 10605 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey