Attenuator Shootout / Comparison
In this video we will check four different attenuators – the Freyette Powerstation 2, the Boss Tube Amp Expander, the OX Loadbox from Universal Audio and the Ironman II from ToneKing. We compare the audio sounds and do a frequency analysis as well. Finally I’ll give you my personal rating.
#attenuator #loadbox #comparison
All episodes of ‘The Ultimate Loadbox Comparison’
Part 1 – see https://youtu.be/HijhkWKbdLs
Part 2 – see https://youtu.be/ncNcHbGGL6s
Part 3 – see https://youtu.be/TyYzJXH3D2M
Part 4 – see https://youtu.be/OCBVAOGTDXU
Part 5 – see https://youtu.be/zbQlL_LRc9M
Part 6 – see https://youtu.be/f23zwgroIIE
Part 7 – see https://youtu.be/D6N6y9wo7RM
Part 8 – see https://youtu.be/42HwplB6-nw
Part 9 – see https://youtu.be/I0pz-n4aj_Q
Part 10 – see https://youtu.be/huIo0S-G3G0
Part 11 – see https://youtu.be/M0iQruciEAA
Part 12 – see https://youtu.be/AR_q297ll5U
0:00 Intro
0:49 Setup
2:54 Fryette Powerstation
5:21 Boss Tube Amp Expander
6:46 OX Loadbox
7:34 ToneKing Ironman II
8:36 Frequency Comparison
11:11 My Rating
#Attenuator #Shootout #Comparison
Originally posted by UCeZ5V0o3vU3WpbKcQKxuPkw at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnOIwp-qmOA
Excellent Video Thanks So Much
I'm not sure, if the amp will see the speaker impedance of the speaker. With fryette the amp see the reactive load of the fryette power station and the poweramp of fryette see the speaker impedance. Same for the rest imo.
Very interesting comparison and information. Of the 4 units you compared, the only actual attenuator (in the strictest sense) is the Tone King Ironman 2. The others are doing more than simply attenuating the original amp signal. The Freyette, for example, is re-amping the original signal coming from the amp using its own tube amp.
All that aside, I'm trying to decide between the Ironman 2 and the Rivera Rock Crusher. I like the concept of the Ironman using dual transformers to attenuate and compensate for the Fletcher-Munson Curve, but it could then be said that the Rock Crusher is more accurate to the original amp signal due to this feature. I find it strange that the Ironman does not have a bypass switch or even an on/off switch as it requires AC power to operate resulting in it always being "on". Also, Tone King themselves are hesitant to recommend the Ironman 2 for heavy attenuation usage with a "big amp" such as a 1972 Marshall Super Lead. The Rock Crusher on the other hand was supposedly designed around using a Super Lead. Any thoughts?
This video and the loadbox series are excellent… thank you! Can you briefly expand on the PS-2 presence and depth settings in your experiment when used with the flat flat settings? That curve most closely resembles the non-attenuated signal, however, at the end of the video you mentioned the presence and depth controls can help create a Fletcher Munson curve.
No attenuator vol 6 – 2:00
No atteuator vol 1 – 2:24
Fryette PS2 edge/deep – 3:31
Fryette PS2 flat/flat –3:55
BOSS TAE – 6:24
OX Loadbox – 7:11
ToneKing IM2 – 7:55
I've tried both the PS-100 and IM2, and kept the IM2. I've tried it through 4 boutique amps and 3 cabs. It sounds and feels great.
Hello! Great Video series! I have one question: If I want to reamp (different amp) a guitar track, using a pre recorded clean DI, but cannot reamp using a cab (I live in a flat!), what attenuator/power soak/load box is best for a punchy realistic sound? Which one has the closest result to a real amp, full volume with a real cabinet? Thanks in advance and Cheers from Portugal!
I’ve had an UAD Ox Box for the last few years. My amps tube life is greatly shortened….. not driving the amps that hard but amps really don’t like them. My Friedman Butterslax and Runt hate the ox . Sound is great but be prepared to have to take your amp to get repaired at least once a year. People don’t talk about this enough.
Just saw a channel featuring the Driftwood reactive load up against the Shur. Interesting. Would you consider doing a test on one of these?
Thank you for all your work. Your videos gave me confidence in deciding to buy the Suhr reactive load IR when I was shopping it
Thanks ! 🙂
Save your money, Two Notes Captor and CaptorX work just as good.
Well done. Yet another confirmation of Freyette's "best in class" status.
Very nice work with these comparision videos! It would have been nice if there was a TAD Silencer included in the comparision. Isn't that a German attenuator?
Interesting. Thx for doing this.
Thanks for a great series. I recently bought a 28 watt Matamp from the early 2000’s. It sound phenomenal but is “somebody call the police” loud when above 3 on the master volume, so this series has been really helpful in helping me choose an attenuator/load box. Thanks for your hard work.