should i build a 36?

[zaphod_phil]

All the attenuators suffer from that problem, at their most extreme attenuation levels. Like I said, you can improve things by wiring a "bright cap" of a few uF (non-polarized) between the input and output hot terminals. The Rat Shack attenuator is actually pretty clever how it works, using a resistance wound stepped auto-transformer.

I suspect that you probably need to combine a couple of methods, like installing a VVR in addition to the attenuator, so that each of them provides about half the the volume reduction you need and the amp still sounds reasonably natural.

[lovedat800]

I think it just doesn't work till you hit a certain volume because i've used attenuators before that worked at home. And with 50 watters. But this thing seems like it will work if you're trying to get cranked levels down to levels that would be much lower relitive to the amp cranked, but not to apartment levels. I would consider TV listening levels what i mean.

I want to try a post PI master, but before i spend the time and money to order a ganged pot, can you tell me whether it might change my tone in a negative way, and when it's all the way up is it essentially out of circuit or will it still change the tone? i was thinking if it IS out of circuit when cranked for all intents and purposes, i could keep the pre PI master too and be assured i don't lose what i have now. I love the tone i'm getting right now and don't want to lose any of the goodness.