Love the sound of your tube amp cranked, but can’t always play at full volume? Amp attenuators let you push your amp into its sweet spot while keeping the volume at a manageable level. Our selection includes the most popular and highly rated models and now it’s your turn to choose the best one! Cast your vote, compare it with others’ votes, and share your experiences to help fellow players find their perfect match.
1. Universal Audio OX
Analogue reactive loadbox for guitar tube amplifiers
Five tuned guitar amp attenuation levels.
Rig control for pre-set microphone and speaker box emulations.
UA Dynamic Speaker Modelling accurately models the behaviour of a speaker and membrane resonances.
Integrated UA EQ compression, delay and reverb effects.
Ohm operation selectable (4, 8, and 16 Ohm).
Max. power handling: 150 W.
2. Fryette Power Station 100
Power attenuator for volume control of tube amps without the disadvantages of a conventional attenuator.
Two remote-controlled, foot-switchable controls on the front for volume, presence and depth.
Powerful mono block with 100 W from 2x 6550 tubes.
Active safety bypass function deactivates the internal power amplifier and maintains the critical load of the amplifier if the loudspeaker output socket is accidentally unplugged.
Output power: 100 watts at 2/4, 8 and 16 ohms.
Tubes: 1 x 12AX7, 2 x 6550.
Power consumption (max.continuous): 200 W @ 2/4 Ohm, 150 W @ 8 Ohm, 200 W @ 16 Ohm.
Product variations: Power Station PS-2A.
3. Two Notes Torpedo Captor X (8)
Max. power rating: 100 W RMS.
New functions for the Torpedo Captor family include a stereo expander (stereo reverb and double tracker), enhancer, voicing, space, noise gate and XLR DI outputs with 3 routing options (stereo, dual mono and dry / wet).
Includes GENOME with 5 DynIR captures, 40 microphones, 12 pedals, 12 TSM amps, 17 STUDIO FX, 40 AI amp captures and an expert-selected RIG library.
Controls: Space, Voicing, Out Level, Preset.
Push buttons: In Level High/Low, Gnd Lift.
Switch: Volume Full/Low.
Product variations: Torpedo Captor X 16.
4. Two Notes Reload II
Reactive load box with attenuator, Celestion Approved Load Response, and sterep/dual mono 215 W power amplifier
Attenuator rated up to 200 W RMS.
Selectable multi-impedance compatibility: 4, 8, 16 ohm
Two channels.
Continuous active attenuation from complete silence to full volume.
Stereo / dual mono power amplifier: 215 W.
Includes GENOME Reload II Cab Sim Plug In with 24 DynIR Virtual Cabinets.
5. Tone King Ironman II
Full tube compression at room volume.
Reactive Load Technology preserves the tone and dynamics of the amp.
Footswitchable 3 dB / 6 dB solo function.
6-Level damping provides volume settings for every performance, session or home.
3-Position presence switch tames unwanted highs.
XLR DI Out with Speaker Simulation.
Power rating: 100 W RMS.
Impedance: 4, 8 or 16 ohms.
Product variations: Ironman II Mini.
6. Mesa/Boogie POWERHOUSE (8-ohm)
Rated for guitar amps up to 150 watts — great for your high-wattage head.
5 levels of power reduction — -0dB, -4dB, -8dB, -12dB, and -16dB.
Infinite reduction down from the -16dB position (via a Level knob) for whisper-quiet practice sessions.
3-position voicing switch enables you to choose normal, bright, or warm characteristics.
Speaker/Load switch toggles between your physical speaker cabinet and the internal reactive load.
Dry line output allows you to use your own IR loader or record your unprocessed signal for re-amping.
Product variations: POWERHOUSE (16-ohm), POWERHOUSE (4-ohm).
7. Boss WAZA Tube Amp Expander
Modern, variable reactive attenuator circuit for tube amplifiers up to 150 W.
Impedance settings for properly adjusting the load resistance of the amplifier.
Integrated 100 W Class AB power amplifier with discrete analogue design and seamless volume control.
Customisable stereo effects: Compressor, Delay, Reverb and four EQs.
22 Speaker-box emulations with five selectable close mic and three surround microphone types plus four slots for uploading your own speaker impulse responses.
Editor software (Mac / Windows).
USB for direct audio recording and communication with the editor software.
Product variations: WAZA Tube Amp Expander Core.
8. Rivera RockCrusher
Load Box and attenuation for amplifying power up to 120 W RMS.
Impedance: 8 and 16 Ohm selectable.
Reactive internal network for true amplifier/ load interaction.
High thermal capacity ensures cool running and long life.
Tight impedance tolerances.
XLR and unbalanced line outputs with level control.
Low and high frequency equalization selection.
Full bypass capability with no insertion loss.
Product variations: RockCrusher Recording.
9. JHS Little Black Amp
10. Suhr Reactive Load
Simple solution to take up the warmth and dynamics of your sound without putting microphones to a speaker during a gig or studio recording.
Connected to tube amp instead of loudspeaker and loads it with 8 Ohm.
Generates a symmetrical as well as assymmetrical signal (without loudspeaker simulation) to be connected to recording devices, effects and power amps.
Recommended max. amp power: 100 Watt RMS.
Product variations: Reactive Load IR.
11. AmpRX BrownBox
LCD voltmeter makes it easy to dial in the optimal setting for your amp.
Selectable input voltage setting ensures safe and accurate operation.
5-amp, 120/122/124/126VAC input settings accommodate most wall voltages.
Equal or attenuated output ensures that you can't accidentally overload your amp.
Choose from 4 attenuation modes (3%, 4%, 6%, and 10%) to fine-tune your voltage.
Bypass mode lets you easily A/B the results of your optimized amp voltage.
12. Electro Harmonix Signal Pad
13. AmpRX Power Station BackLine
LCD voltmeter makes it easy to dial in the optimal setting for your amp.
Selectable input current setting ensures safe and accurate operation.
10-amp, 120/122/124/126VAC input settings accommodate most wall currents.
Equal or attenuated output ensures that you can't accidentally overload your amp.
Choose from 4 attenuation modes (3%, 4%, 6%, and 10%) to fine-tune your voltage.
Bypass mode lets you A/B the results of your optimized amp voltage.
2U rackmount design.
14. Bugera PS1 Power Soak
15. Dr. Z Brake-Lite
5 levels of attenuation, "0" being bypassed.
Compatible with any tube amp up to 45 watts.
Accepts 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm loads.
Parallel speaker outputs let you run multiple cabs at once (4-ohm minimum).
16. Harley Benton PA-250
17. Koch Amps LB120-II (8)
18. Palmer PDI-06 (8)
19. Palmer Supreme Soaker
20. Rockboard RPA 100
21. SPL Reducer
22. TAD Silencer 8
23. Mesa/Boogie CabClone IR+ (8-ohm)
Four factory-loaded Mesa/Boogie cabinet presets: Rectifier, Thiele, Lone Star, & California Tweed.
Load third-party and custom IRs into the unit’s “Cabinet Library” via USB.
Sixteen miking configurations in “live” and “studio” styles.
Two 1/4” input jacks (From Amp Speaker Output and Line/Instrument In).
One 1/4” “TO SPKR” live cabinet output jacket sends an unprocessed signal to your live speaker.
MIDI IN and THRU expand control of the unit.
Output to recording interfaces, consoles, or headphones.
Product variations: CabClone IR+ (16-ohm), CabClone IR+ (4-ohm).
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Get to Grips with Amp Attenuators: Everything You Need to Know.
Amp attenuators are devices that sit between your amp’s output and your speaker, allowing you to reduce volume without sacrificing tone. They’re a must-have for players who want the saturated sound of a tube amp pushed hard but at levels that won’t shake the walls—or annoy the neighbors.
The principle is simple: when you crank a tube amp, it naturally compresses and distorts in a pleasing way, producing harmonics and dynamics that many guitarists love. Unfortunately, that often means extremely loud volumes. An attenuator lets you keep the amp working hard while converting some of the output power into heat or another form of energy, so the sound reaching your speakers is quieter.
Main types of amp attenuators include:
Resistive attenuators – Use resistors to reduce volume. Simple and affordable but can slightly alter tone.
Reactive attenuators – Mimic the behavior of a real speaker load for more natural tone and dynamics. Often preferred by tone purists.
Load boxes with re-amping – Completely absorb your amp’s output, allowing silent recording or sending the signal to other gear.
Key features to consider when choosing an attenuator:
Wattage rating – Must handle your amp’s maximum output safely.
Impedance matching – Match your amp and speaker cab impedance for best results.
Tone preservation – Look for designs that minimize high-frequency loss or tonal coloration.
Extra features – Some models offer EQ adjustments, DI outputs for recording, or cabinet simulation.
Amp attenuators are not only for home players, they’re also great for studio work, allowing you to record your favorite amp tones at any volume. Live players can also use them to get consistent tone in different venue sizes without overpowering the mix.
This list will help you see which attenuators other guitarists rely on most, making it easier to choose the one that fits your amp, your playing style, and your volume needs.
