"Boutique" Attenuators - Concern

[VJF]

It seems that the consensus on this Forum is that the best attenuators are the ones made by small private builders. I'm not currently in the market for an attenuator but I may be in the future and I have a concern:

With daily use and especially when attenuated down to bedroom levels, these units must be under tremendous stress/strain thus increasing the likelyhood of failure...no? So what happens if my "boutique" attenuator needs repair down the road and the builder has decided to get out of the business?

I am assuming that these boutique attenuators are built with proprietary technology and parts. Are schematics included when you buy one? If not, would a competent amp tech be able to fix it without a schematic or access to custom made parts?

This would not be a concern if the price of these attenuators was low but for the most part these boutique attenuators are relatively expensive.

Are my concerns legitimate...what say you?

[Faustine Amps]

It seems that the consensus on this Forum is that the best attenuators are the ones made by small private builders. I'm not currently in the market for an attenuator but I may be in the future and I have a concern:

With daily use and especially when attenuated down to bedroom levels, these units must be under tremendous stress/strain thus increasing the likelyhood of failure...no? So what happens if my "boutique" attenuator needs repair down the road and the builder has decided to get out of the business?

I am assuming that these boutique attenuators are built with proprietary technology and parts. Are schematics included when you buy one? If not, would a competent amp tech be able to fix it without a schematic or access to custom made parts?

This would not be a concern if the price of these attenuators was low but for the most part these boutique attenuators are relatively expensive.

Are my concerns legitimate...what say you?

A good question. My attenuators are designed with "proprietary technology" and do not come with a schematic. They also have custom made parts and require some custom tools to service them. So, even a competent amp tech would have some trouble fixing a Phantom, regardless of the complexity of the problem.

I don't plan to get out of this business, but in the event that I do, I have friendships with alot of people in this industry and I'm sure I could set up a servicing agreement with one or more of them.

Regards,
Tim

[Jujo]

Legitimate concerns. But this is rock n' roll. So I say "LET THERE BE ROCK!!!"

I bought an Alex unit and if it blows up someday I will miss it, but I wouldn't regret owning it. It has already been so useful to me...I'd say its surely worth the risk.

Also, I've run it at home for a couple hours on many occasions and it doesn't even get hot. Granted, I'm not hammering it with a 100w head at full bore. My amp is 50w and has a good master to boot, and I STILL FIND USE for the Alex.

You could mitigate your risk by not hammering the attenuator with a massive load. Although I think all these guys have tested their devices with high wattage amps and heavy attenuation. You maybe should ask each builder you question directly and see what they recommend for how much their device can take.

[Dave_C]

Your concern is valid and really applies to all boutique electronic gear. That said, I own or have owned over half a dozen attenuators and can't imagine all of them not outliving me! Unless you exceed their max ratings, there's really nothing that can go bad on them. Things like switches and pots can be replaced by any tech and the rest of it just doesn't go bad w/o severe abuse. Chances are you'll end up purchasing the next "best" attenuator before any of your current ones die off! ;)

[Jef Bardsley]

Attentuators are designed to take abuse. It's like the bumper on a car....


Oh. Right. Well.... it's like the bumper on a car from the '50s! :bonk

[908SSP]

Mine can be repaired by any competent tech. But I'll be around for a long time I hope.

[fusionbear]

A good question. My attenuators are designed with "proprietary technology" and do not come with a schematic. They also have custom made parts and require some custom tools to service them. So, even a competent amp tech would have some trouble fixing a Phantom, regardless of the complexity of the problem.

I don't plan to get out of this business, but in the event that I do, I have friendships with alot of people in this industry and I'm sure I could set up a servicing agreement with one or more of them.

Regards,
Tim

Tim, If that happens (may it never!) I'd be more than happy to service them...:idea

[SteveO]

With daily use and especially when attenuated down to bedroom levels, these units must be under tremendous stress/strain thus increasing the likelyhood of failure...no?

If the attenuator is well-designed, has quality components, and you don't exceed it's recommended wattage rating, I don't think that it will be under much strain at all.

[gishlullmoon]

my name is alex that is ****ed up! i should buy one!

[localmotion411]

my name is alex that is ****ed up! i should buy one!

Thanks for taking some time off from HC to post here!

[gishlullmoon]

who are you?!