Hey guys, so i just bought a 5150 combo at the 50% sale about 2 weeks ago, and it sounds killer! Only problem is i can't turn the volume up past 2, playing mostly at bedroom levels. I heard an attenuator or something like that could help me. Could anyone explain how an attenuator works and its limitations? And does anyone have any solutions? Thanks lots guys! Much appreciated!!
5150!!! But in need of help...
- Thread starter Lyn
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boone
New member
http://www.thdelectronics.com/products/hotplate.htm
Everything you want to know should be answered there. I have read some feedback of the attenuator on the net that says the hotplate will change the tone a little, but it being taken out of context from the net, I don't know whether it's accurate.
There used to be a distributor for THD products, but if I'm not wrong they closed not too long ago. Not sure of price.
Guess you alternatives are:
-Order online from those mega music stores
-DIY. I think there should be schematics floating around, if you search hard enough you should be able to get one
-2nd hand.
Everything you want to know should be answered there. I have read some feedback of the attenuator on the net that says the hotplate will change the tone a little, but it being taken out of context from the net, I don't know whether it's accurate.
There used to be a distributor for THD products, but if I'm not wrong they closed not too long ago. Not sure of price.
Guess you alternatives are:
-Order online from those mega music stores
-DIY. I think there should be schematics floating around, if you search hard enough you should be able to get one
-2nd hand.
You must also have a good technical background to use a product as a tube amp attenuator.
Improper connection, or using it outside the boundary (very easy to happen for the untrained and unfamiliar), could cost you irreversible damage.
Tube amps are meant to be 'impedance' matched properly for the output stage. Improper matching could result in shorted out tubes or worst transformer meltdown.
Either case, I personally frown upon putting an amp on a "treadmill" situation. This I surmise from some of the THD univalve units I have seen so far with built-in attenuator.
With the case of the SL sales that is happening on a regular basis, I do suspect the resale values of such amps will deteriorate.
Improper connection, or using it outside the boundary (very easy to happen for the untrained and unfamiliar), could cost you irreversible damage.
Tube amps are meant to be 'impedance' matched properly for the output stage. Improper matching could result in shorted out tubes or worst transformer meltdown.
Either case, I personally frown upon putting an amp on a "treadmill" situation. This I surmise from some of the THD univalve units I have seen so far with built-in attenuator.
With the case of the SL sales that is happening on a regular basis, I do suspect the resale values of such amps will deteriorate.
congrats on getting a killer amp.
i too have trouble playing past 2... but you can use the LOW GAIN input.. and it will be a lil softer. But some times... in the afternoons when no ones around.. i put it at 5 and let it rip... shiok...
BTW do consider the eurotubes upgrade. the china tubes really dont do the amp justice.
i too have trouble playing past 2... but you can use the LOW GAIN input.. and it will be a lil softer. But some times... in the afternoons when no ones around.. i put it at 5 and let it rip... shiok...
BTW do consider the eurotubes upgrade. the china tubes really dont do the amp justice.
vernplum
New member
mikemann said:
Here's a reply I received from Andy Marshall of THD on the subject:
The UniValve was designed from the ground- up to be run 24/7 with it's built-in attenuator and doing so will not shorten the tube's or the amplifier's life at all compared to running at the same settings into a speaker. As for our external attenuators, they are constant-impedance devices and always show the amplifier the same impedance, assuming that the amplifier's output impedance, the Hot Plate impedance and the speaker impedance all match.
Hi Ed.
Like the reply said. "Assuming that the amplifier's output impedance, the Hot Plate impedance and the speaker impedance all match"
The key word is "assuming". So I think I can safely "assume" that humans like to test boundaries, being human. Also theoratical and practical sense contribute to the imperfect nature of our being. So even a "perfect" amp, in practical sense, when put in an 'imperfect' world, would fail, wouldn't you agree??
Personally, I feel the univalve is well built and engineered. Components used are very refined. Just that with the features it has, I am not surprised with the outcome. We are human after all.
So boils down to personal choice, if you wanna play, you gotta pay. Best wishes for your tone quest, cheers.
Mike
Like the reply said. "Assuming that the amplifier's output impedance, the Hot Plate impedance and the speaker impedance all match"
The key word is "assuming". So I think I can safely "assume" that humans like to test boundaries, being human. Also theoratical and practical sense contribute to the imperfect nature of our being. So even a "perfect" amp, in practical sense, when put in an 'imperfect' world, would fail, wouldn't you agree??
Personally, I feel the univalve is well built and engineered. Components used are very refined. Just that with the features it has, I am not surprised with the outcome. We are human after all.
So boils down to personal choice, if you wanna play, you gotta pay. Best wishes for your tone quest, cheers.
Mike
Hmmm... the english is crafted very well too. But still same the same thing as I have said too. That the amp is being put on a treadmill.
"doing so will not shorten the tube's or the amplifier's life at all compared to running at the same settings into a speaker"
Meaning, if you run the amp at output 10, your tube amp will wear out like you are driving at output 10, although your attenuator has made the speaker sound as loud as it's at 1.
Tubes, are quite limited lifespan, means that as you run it, the elements inside will react accordingly. So if you drive you amp at 1 all the time, the tube will sure last much longer than if you drive it at like 8 all the time.
So think about it. If the tube is already weak (threshold is smaller too) and you keep cranking it at 10 with your attenuator in. The tube might not take it and short-out internally. A short-out could lead to other damages as well.
Yes it's not the attuenator fault. It's the user's own undoing. (imagine running a 20yr old car on a dynamo at top rev, chances of engine boom)
"doing so will not shorten the tube's or the amplifier's life at all compared to running at the same settings into a speaker"
Meaning, if you run the amp at output 10, your tube amp will wear out like you are driving at output 10, although your attenuator has made the speaker sound as loud as it's at 1.
Tubes, are quite limited lifespan, means that as you run it, the elements inside will react accordingly. So if you drive you amp at 1 all the time, the tube will sure last much longer than if you drive it at like 8 all the time.
So think about it. If the tube is already weak (threshold is smaller too) and you keep cranking it at 10 with your attenuator in. The tube might not take it and short-out internally. A short-out could lead to other damages as well.
Yes it's not the attuenator fault. It's the user's own undoing. (imagine running a 20yr old car on a dynamo at top rev, chances of engine boom)
G
Guest
Guest
Lyn said:
$$$$....
embryo
New member
Lyn said:
Congrats on a great choice for a full tube amp of great tones and design. The 5150 is designed with high gain cascaded preamp section and the resonance knob is a very useful control for dialing in a stack type of low end hair moving vibe at lower volume setting. The real juice however lies in the power amp tube section. Of course it's going to be real loud to approach anywhere past 2 on the master knob. There are ways to extract the juice from the amp saturating in the power amp section and one of the popular ways include using a variac which lowers the voltage supplied to the amp (very big, heavy and only to be used under expert supervision) and the use of an attenuator. Attenuators do come in several flavours mostly either passive or active by design. IMHO, THD and Weber do make commendable active attenuators.
There's also another method of which for safety reasons I can only advice on a personal level. Do write me if you are interested after exploring the above suggestions 1st.
Regards
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