Ultimate Dimmer Facts
The Ultimate Attenuator, manufactured by Mark Gregg of Magus Innovations LLC, is an electronic device used to control the volume of an amplifier on a guitar. The device mounts directly to the amplifier’s input jacks for the best, most transparent sound. This attenuator works similarly to other attenuators such as the fiber attenuator, Weber attenuator, and digital attenuator. The maximum attenuator reduces the amplitude or power of a signal so that the waveform is not distorted.
According to its basic schematic, this dimmer has a fixed resistor that is in series with the signal and a variable switchable resistor to ground. The attenuator provides simple signal loading for the amplifier’s output transformer circuit. This loaded signal will serve as input to an active power amplification circuit. The fed signal is then transferred by the attenuator to the loudspeaker.
The following are some of the features of the electronic device: 100 watts maximum output, non-stepping continuous volume controller, sleep switch, true bypass switching, dual speaker output jacks, plexi switch, alternating current (AC) output fixed 100-volt outlet, quiet cooling fan, variable line-level output, and all-steel construction. Fixed 100-volt AC tap protects amplifier components and tubes. Meanwhile, the bedroom switch is used in environments where low volume is required. The plexi switch is designed to modify the top end response. An advantage of this type of dimmer is that it can be switched from 120 to 240 volts, which means it can be used anywhere in the world.
Based on various product reviews, this dimmer is safe and reliable. Because it uses a 30 ohm load resistor, the Ultimate Attenuator can receive 4, 8, 16 ohm signal loads from the guitar amp. The company even offers a 2-ohm version of the product. The attenuator’s built-in low-impedance power amplifier helps achieve strong, high frequency response. The product also offers low volume sound with minimal impact. There will be no change in resistance even if the user turns off the device. This attenuator is even backwards compatible with no master volume on Marshall amps. The attenuator is also compatible with Mullard power tubes. However, a negative aspect of the product is the use of the 30 ohm load. According to critics, using a 30 ohm load will reduce power regardless of which amp is used. Some users even suggest improving the features of the product, such as adding a switch to enhance the bass or treble frequencies. Also, many users find the dimmer very expensive. This is because there are other good devices on the market that are sold at lower prices.
The latest version of the Ultimate Attenuator is the 24 position Nude model. This bare model of unbalanced attenuator is more transparent and economical because it has no chassis. One drawback to this model, however, is that it will not fit properly into any component that has an input jack closer than 0.75 inches center-to-center.