Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Rothwell Electronics 10db inline attenuator Accessory by Marc Bratton

Model:	10db inline attenuator
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$59.00
Description:	10db inline attenuator, RCA
Manufacturer URL:	Rothwell Electronics
Model Picture:	View

Review by Marc Bratton ( A ) on May 09, 2004 at 20:51:47
IP Address: 63.184.33.33

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for the 10db inline attenuator

Hey, all you Audible Illusions Modulus owners, as well as all you owners of very high sensitivity horn speaker systems! This product was designed with you in mind. As the name implies, these little widgets are designed to plug into the inputs of your power amp. They attenuate the incoming signal by 10db. They so without any audible coloration, loss,
or change to the signal. They are EXTREMELY well finished; the phrase 'audio jewelry' comes to mind. They even come in a little jewelry box, much like those for cufflinks.
Their sonic effect is NOT trivial. Even with my low sensitivity Magnepan speakers, I was suffering with the typical AI Modulus blues...9 o'clock was almost too loud, and I had the typical 'hair trigger' volume control effect. Once I plugged these into the back of my amp, I was able to use the volume pot in the 11:00 am to 2:00pm range. Not only are the volume pots much more linear here, but I also have a LOT finer gradation of the volume, which is really nice. The very best effect is, it DOES improve the apparent signal to noise ratio. By throwing away the last (or is it the '1st')10db of gain, I can no longer hear any hum or tube rush at all, even when I max out the volume pots. You guys with the 98db/1 watt
speakers are really, really going to like this! SO, all you Audible Illusions users, you CANT afford to NOT try these! I guarantee you'll love 'em! Highly, highly recommended....I can't tell you when I've gotten more sonic improvement for so little. If you find yourself way down on the volume pot chronically, then these will really open up your system for you.

Product Weakness: None I can think of.
Product Strengths: Does just what they're designed to do, no fuss, no muss.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Forte 4A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audible Illusions Modulus 2C
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teres/MorchUP4/Shure V15VxMR
Speakers:	Magnepan MG12QR's
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas 5C
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All types
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Finally got it reasonable, so now it's time to move.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Brickwall PWR2AUD
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None I can think of.
Product Strengths:	Does just what they're designed to do, no fuss, no muss.