Marshall's built in attenuators?

[lang.murphy]

I know the YJM100 and the AFD100 have built-in attenuators. Don't know about any other Marshall's with built-in attenuators.

Anyone with attenuator experience tried either one of these and can compare to other attenuators or maybe just comment on how they work, regardless of how they compare to outboard attenuators?

TIA!

Lang

[jp1977]

although the effect is like an attenuator in that it lets u have a cranked sound at quiet volume levels, marshall's new system for this is different then just using an outboard atten. Sounds like it should produce better results also then the traditional outboard atten.

[teemuk]

As far as I know, that "attenuator" is just another variation of the voltage regulator concept. I think in that amp a regulator for the screen voltage instead of B+. I wouldn't be surprised if they copped or licensed it straight from Blackstar who has applied patents for such scheme in UK.

And if rumours are true, it was - in today's Marshall's fashion - infested with problems right from day one.

[gillman royce]

Marshall first had a built in attenuator in 1985/6 with the creation of the Studio 15 amp. A bit crude by todays standards it's hard to judge whether it was the design, useage or age but I had one ( I own/owned several of these amps )in mint condition that blew the OT within a month of my buying it - and I wasn't using the attenuator OR had the amp anywhere near dimed AND I had taken the amp immediately upon purchase to a tech for the once over. Obviously the previous owner had used the attenuator extensively - maybe even run od pedals to boot. I concur with another post to this thread about Marshall's current state of production problems . If Marshall is putting attenuators in new models, I'd be leery.

[Dave_C]

Marshall first had a built in attenuator in 1985/6 with the creation of the Studio 15 amp. A bit crude by todays standards it's hard to judge whether it was the design, useage or age but I had one ( I own/owned several of these amps )in mint condition that blew the OT within a month of my buying it - and I wasn't using the attenuator OR had the amp anywhere near dimed AND I had taken the amp immediately upon purchase to a tech for the once over. Obviously the previous owner had used the attenuator extensively - maybe even run od pedals to boot. I concur with another post to this thread about Marshall's current state of production problems . If Marshall is putting attenuators in new models, I'd be leery.

Probably better off buying a Germino, Metro, Reinhardt, etc, and then adding an Alex's or Faustine!

[lang.murphy]

Probably better off buying a Germino, Metro, Reinhardt, etc, and then adding an Alex's or Faustine!

Or a '73 Super Lead and an Aracom. ;)

I'm just curious to hear what folks think about these new Marshall big iron amps with their new built-in "attenuation."

[Dave_C]

Or a '73 Super Lead and an Aracom. ;)

I'm just curious to hear what folks think about these new Marshall big iron amps with their new built-in "attenuation."

That'll work! I'm actually curious about this too, but I don't hold out a lot of faith that the modern Marshall company can pull it off.