WTB : Attenuator

[nocaster]

Don't know mate. Every single other attenuator has either a specific impedance or selectable impedance except this one.

Will email them just now to ask.

K

[nocaster]

Anyone got any experience of the Torres attenuator?

They do a kit that you can build an attenuator with selectable impedance for less than £70.

Very tempting.

Any thoughts?

K

[nocaster]

Sent the noise clamp peeps an email asking why it didn't need to be a specific impednace and got a rather dissapointing reply saying that it will work with any impedance from 4 to 16 ohms with no explanation as to why.

So I've replied asking for a bit more info.

K

[Sir Axeman]

this is an interesting comparison of 3 attenuators...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1MuU4xiQOO4

[nocaster]

Check this out. When I probed for more information from the Edinburgh chap, I go this :

Regarding the technical details of the product I'm sorry we can't provide more information than we already have. Our information is that the unit will function perfectly well with 4-16 Ohm speakers where the amp and speakers match.

Your guitar amp should be running at either 8 or 16 ohms, with 8 Ohms being the most common setting for a guitar amp today.

Hope this helps and we will hope to see you in store when you purchase your unit.

Not good. Correct me if I'm wrong but almost every valve amp in the world operates at 16 ohm and at least one other impedance? Every single amp I've had in my life has operated at either 16 or 4 ohm and 8 ohm was reserved for stuff like stereo cabs, etc?

Anyway, he will not be receivng my money.

It would have been less annoying if he'd simply said "Just because".

K

[robmac5150]

not sure if you are right here Kev. Both my H&K and JTM operate with one cab at 8 Ohms and if it operates at 4-16 Ohms all your bases are covered. Aren't they???

I never spoke to the shop but I did speak to the designer of the box who also does the "emerson williams blue box". He was sound as a pound.

The problem I have found several times with shops is that the guys who work there are LESS into gear than people like (us forumites) so it appears that they know nothing or dont care. Yes - they should know - before you say it - but 20 Y.O. guy on minimum wage may not put the biggest effort in to know his products for example.

[nocaster]

Well I can only speak from the amps I've had Rob and every one has operated at 16 ohms and at least one other.

In other words, 16 ohms was the common impedance.

For example, both my JVM and my JMP operate at 4 & 16 ohm in mono and 8 via a stereo cab, therefore only using 2 speakers.

Anyway, it's irrelevant.

Will my amp be ok to use with this? And why is his the only one in the world that doesn't need to be a specific impedance? What does he know that THD, Weber, Dr Z, etc don't know?

K

[nocaster]

Just checked and the guys based in Dunfermline. Only 10 mins from my house.

Will go for a chat to see what the crack is.

K

[nocaster]

Just spoken to Dennis and he seemed fine. He said that the attenuator is optimised for 8 ohm impedances but works from 4-16.

I asked him whay THD, for example, sold numerous impedance sepcific models and he replied with "it's a good sales startegy", which wasn't very reassuring. I would have liked a bit more of a technical response.

He also said, get one and try it. However, as I pointed out, it costs £140 to try it!

I'm still dubious about this. I really really don't want to knacker my old amp and nobody can give me any reassurance that it won't. Not even the people who are selling them or even the guy who designed it!

K

[mattbanshee]

If in doubt, look elsewhere. Torres, for example, have built their own amps for ages (as I'm sure you know) and so I'd be far more inclined to speak to them about it. I've spoken to the Torres guys at shows etc and they seem to be really helpful, and certainly know their stuff. I'd be very surprised if their loadbox was a cheap piece of crap, as their amps certainly aren't.