Attenuators
- Thread starter MPW
- Start date
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I have both SE and XLR Rothwell's. Currently not being used but you never know when they might be needed. I keep them in my parts, cables and accessories basket.
I use Rothwell attenuators, both balanced and unbalanced, and have nothing but good things to say about them. I use the -10dB units in the output paths to my 7.1 channels of amplification to lower the almost imperceptible level of AC hum being induced in my pre/pro in my system to below audible levels and I had to resort to this because I was never able to find and resolve the root cause of the hum in the first place. I have also used them for system balancing across the eight channels of amplification and varying speaker sensitivities in my system. I have not experienced any degradation in SQ with the XLR units connected in this manner.
As a side note, I once attempted to drop the output level of my Lumin X1 streamer via inserting attenuators at the output of the X1 while connecting it directly to the inputs of my mono front L/R amplifies. The output was definitely attenuated but the soundstage took on an almost diffuse and directionless quality that I can't understand. Yes, you could tell the sound was "stereo" but I could no longer pinpoint where the instruments were in the soundstage, etc. I suspect it may have been some unwanted interaction between the Lumin's output transformer stage and the different loading that it was presented with. Weird indeed!
I've also used attenuators from other manufacturers but prefer the build quality and the unit-to-unit attenuation accuracy of the Rothwell units.
As a side note, I once attempted to drop the output level of my Lumin X1 streamer via inserting attenuators at the output of the X1 while connecting it directly to the inputs of my mono front L/R amplifies. The output was definitely attenuated but the soundstage took on an almost diffuse and directionless quality that I can't understand. Yes, you could tell the sound was "stereo" but I could no longer pinpoint where the instruments were in the soundstage, etc. I suspect it may have been some unwanted interaction between the Lumin's output transformer stage and the different loading that it was presented with. Weird indeed!
I've also used attenuators from other manufacturers but prefer the build quality and the unit-to-unit attenuation accuracy of the Rothwell units.
sb6
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2014
- Messages
- 165
Exactly my point. Attenuating the signal has consequences. How perceivable they are to you in your system and whether it's worth the tradeoff is up to you.
a.wayne
Well-known member
What brand are you using , some will be amp and speaker load dependent ...!
a.wayne
Well-known member
Best to use a pre amp when running attenuators , well best for all system to have a preamp instead of running streamer directly ..
Regards
One of the things I like most about the Lumin X1 is the unit's volume control capability coupled with Leedh volume processing and the ability that it affords me to bypass the AV processor completely and connect directly to the amplifiers making the connection as direct as possible. As I mentioned earlier, my system has a very low level but still objectionable amount of AC hum or ground loop noise that, for the life of me, I have been unable to isolate and resolve. The hum or ground loop appears to be caused by one or more of the HDMI connections but still it baffles me. Bypassing the AV processor completely eliminates the noise and this is why I prefer the direct connection.
The brand of fuses that I auditioned were Synergistic Research Orange fuses.
W9TR
Active member
I too have tried SR fuses. On two occasions. First the Blue fuses a few years ago, and earlier this year the Orange fuses. Gear was McIntosh C 1000 and MC 2301’s. No difference. Nada. Zip. Zero. I’m glad they were sold with a money back guarantee. That’s the way I buy all my tweaks, including cables. I’m sometime surprised at what I find.
I too have tried SR fuses. On two occasions. First the Blue fuses a few years ago, and earlier this year the Orange fuses. Gear was McIntosh C 1000 and MC 2301’s. No difference. Nada. Zip. Zero. I’m glad they were sold with a money back guarantee. That’s the way I buy all my tweaks, including cables. I’m sometime surprised at what I find.
Trying before you buy, or a money back guarantee, makes the best sense!
MPW
Member
- Thread Author
- #34
The Rothwell attenuators have finally arrived from England. They are in the system now. I will report back shortly on my impressions. One thing is for sure, they definitely lower the noise floor. Dead silence with my ear at the tweeter. I know this is virtually meaningless, but just making the observation.
MPW
Member
- Thread Author
- #36
I have now spent quite a bit of time with the Rothwell attenuators in my system. To skip to the punch line, they are not coming out. Previously I had indicated that they significantly lowered the overall noise floor. While this was easy to discern right out of the gate, I had feared that I would lose transient impact, bass definition, soundstage size, or uncover some other sonic degradation as I did long-term listening. I did not find that to be the case at all. The attenuators allow me to operate my Cary preamp at a much higher volume setting, which really improves the sound, particularly at lower volumes. I did try the attenuators in the signal path of my Marantz CD player/DAC. There was a lot missing in this configuration. It was very easy to hear and was not positive in any way. I settled on having them immediately in front of the amp. After settling on the placement of the attenuators and confirming their efficacy, I did a little tweaking of speaker placement, and the combination of these two changes has left me very satisfied. I occasionally multi-task (read, putz on the internet, etc.) while listening. I have found that much more difficult to do after these changes. I am just too engaged in the music to do anything else but listen. The musical engagement factor is very high!
Good to hear! I am assuming you got the XLR balanced version of the attenuators because they are non directional and can be placed at either the output of the preamp or the input of the power amp. The RCA unbalanced version of his attenuators, however, are directional and should be placed where they were designed to be placed. He has a version of the unbalanced that can go on the output of a device or the input of a device.