please help re: ebay item : attenuator or a volume control

[boogieslayer]

is an actual attenuator or just a box that turns volume up and down...
has anyone bought or heard one of these ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/VOLUME-BOX-ATTENUATOR-POWER-BRAKE-SOAK-HOT-PLATE-MASS_W0QQitemZ200336910972QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Amp_Accessories?hash=item200336910972&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

thanks

 

[MusicManJP6]

That is NOT an attenuator! It is just a volume control! The same effect can be obtained by using a volume pedal. It does nothing to soak power from the amp to the speaker because it is in the loop. The tone will change but not because the power amp is working harder. If anything the effects loop tube gets a workout...

A true attenuator is able to attenuate the volume by being placed between the amp and the speaker...

 

[boogieslayer]

thats what i thought ...i asked the guy that question and heres his reply

" Anything that attenuates volume IS an attenuator, this works exactly as described in the auction, GREAT bang for the buck, thanks!"

lol i had a feeling it wasnt what he said it was....
as you saw the label on the item for sale is VOLUME BOX ATTENUATOR POWER BRAKE/SOAK/HOT PLATE/MASS

rofl...yeah ok...

i guess it takes all kinds to make the world go round

 

[MusicManJP6]

Well, I guess 'technically' it can be considered an attenuator if you look at it from a stereo's standpoint where it's for the sole purpose of turning the volume down. But, in the tube amp world it is not the same. It's all about getting those power tubes cooking without having to deal with ear shattering volume levels. The only way to achieve this effect is by intercepting the signal before it hits the speaker, but after it leaves the amp so the amp is pushed naturally to it's sweet spot while the attenuator 'soaks up' some of the power - which results in a reduction in the amount of signal that gets sent to the speaker, thus bringing the volume down. If you attenuate too much you will notice some tone degradation - mostly in the high frequencies.

 

[boogieslayer]

BAN odvdocom PLEASE !