AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Guitar Amp Attenuators 2026
The top pick is Two Notes Torpedo Captor X 8ohm Stereo Reactive Load Box / Attenuator ($613). Two Notes Torpedo Captor X 16ohm Stereo Reactive Load Box / Attenuator gives you the most for the money at $233. Fryette PS-100 Power Station Dual-Mode Reactance Amplifier leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 31 models across 17 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
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All Guitar Amp AttenuatorsTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Two Notes Torpedo Captor X 8ohm Stereo Reactive Load Box / Attenuator
Torpedo Captor X + 8 Ohms · Two Notes
29 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1.3 kg
You get a compact reactive load box rated for up to 100 watts RMS at 8 ohms, with a built-in attenuator to lower your amp's volume. It also has virtual speaker boxes, a stereo IR loader, and XLR outputs for sending your sound to a mixer or recording setup. It suits you if you want to play your amp at lower volume or record direct without a microphone.
Pros
- Built-in attenuator with Home (-38 dB), Club (-20 dB), and Stadium (0 dB) settings
- Handles up to 100 watts RMS through an 8 ohm reactive load
- Two-channel stereo IR loader with 512 memory slots for user IR files
Cons
- Needs its included 12V DC power supply to run
- Weighs 1.3 kg, which is heavier than a small pedal-sized unit
72AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$613 now$613€549 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Two Notes Torpedo Captor X 16ohm Stereo Reactive Load Box / Attenuator
Torpedo Captor 16 Ohms · Two Notes
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1 kg
You get a box that sits between your amp and your speaker, so you can turn the amp down or record it without a cabinet. It also has a DI Box and speaker simulation for a recording-ready signal. It suits you if you want to record or play at home or on stage with a 16 Ohm amp, and you have a 9 to 24 V DC power supply ready.
Pros
- Reactive load resistance lets you run your amp without a speaker cabinet
- A -20 dB power reducer lowers the level from your amp
- Includes a DI Box with a balanced DI output for direct recording
Cons
- Power supply is not included and must be bought separately
- At 175 x 126 x 62 mm, it takes up a fair amount of pedalboard space
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$233 now$233€209 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Suhr Reactive Load IR 8 Ohm DI Box with Impulse Responses
Reactive Load · Suhr
19 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Weight3 kg
If you play through a tube amp and want to capture its sound without putting a mic on a speaker, this box is worth a look. It connects to the amp in place of a loudspeaker and gives you a signal you can send to recording devices, effects or a power amp. Keep your amp at or under 100 Watt RMS, and it suits both studio work and gigs.
Pros
- Connects to a tube amp in place of a loudspeaker and loads it with 8 Ohm
- Lets you take up the warmth and dynamics of your sound without a microphone on a speaker
- Outputs both symmetrical and asymmetrical signals for recording devices, effects and power amps
Cons
- Only works with a tube amp, since it connects where the loudspeaker would go
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$557 now$557€499 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Two Notes Torpedo Captor X 16ohm Stereo Reactive Load Box / Attenuator
Torpedo Captor X + 16 Ohms · Two Notes
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1.3 kg
If you play through a tube amp and want to turn the volume down without losing the feel of your amp, this box can help. It has three attenuation settings, virtual speaker cabinets and XLR outputs, so you can send your sound to a mixer or recording gear. It suits players who want several tone options and a way to practice quietly in one compact unit.
Pros
- Three attenuation settings: Home (-38 dB), Club (-20 dB) and Stadium (0 dB), built into the unit
- DynIR technology with 32 DynIR Premium virtual boxes pre-installed and over 900 more available through the Torpedo Remote library
- Two-channel stereo IR loader with 512 memory slots for your own IR files
Cons
- At 1.3 kg and 128 × 175 × 64 mm, it takes up more space than a small pedal
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$613 now$613€549 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight6.8 kg
This is a control centre for a tube amp, with a variable reactive attenuator that lets you turn the volume down. You get a headphone output for quiet practice, plus balanced XLR outputs and USB for recording or running into a mixer. It suits you if you want one unit that handles amp control, speaker emulations and recording options.
Pros
- Variable reactive attenuator circuit for tube amplifiers up to 150 W
- Integrated 100 W Class AB power amplifier with discrete analogue design
- 22 speaker-box emulations plus four slots for your own speaker impulse responses
Cons
- At 6.8 kg and 381 x 297 x 111 mm, it is a fairly large unit to move around
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,450 now$1,450€1,299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Two Notes Torpedo Captor Loadbox / Attenuator/
DI - 4 Ohm Torpedo Captor 4 Ohms · Two Notes
14 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1 kg
If you play through a guitar amp and want to record or play at lower volume, you might like this box. It sits between your amp and a speaker cabinet, and it has a built-in analogue speaker simulation and a DI box so you can send a signal straight to a mixer or interface. It is compact enough for a pedalboard, but you will need to buy a 9 to 24 V DC power supply for it separately.
Pros
- Reactive load resistance lets the amp work as it would into a speaker
- Built-in analogue speaker simulation and DI box in one unit
- Solid metal housing with fan cooling for stage and studio use
Cons
- Needs a separate 9 to 24 V DC power supply, which is not included
- Maximum amplifier power is 100 watts RMS, so higher-powered amps are not supported
66AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$222 now$222€199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Tone King Ironman II Mini 30-Watt Precision Reactive Power Attenuator
Ironman II Mini Attenuator · Tone King
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1.36 kg
If you want to drive your tubes hard at bedroom volume, this attenuator is worth a look. It is built for amps with a maximum power of 30 W and offers six levels of volume reduction. Its Reactive Load design is meant to keep your rig's tone and dynamics, so it suits players who practice or jam at home.
Pros
- Reactive Load technology keeps the tone and dynamics of your rig
- Six attenuation levels cover bedroom, session, and jam volumes
- Foot-switchable 3dB / 6dB solo function with LED indicator
Cons
- Rated only for amplifiers up to 30 W maximum power
- The 9 V DC power supply for the LED is not included
65AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$501 now$501€449 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Tone King Ironman II Mini 30-Watt Precision Reactive Power Attenuator
Ironman II Attenuator · Tone King
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight6.8 kg
If you play a tube amp and want to turn it down without losing the feel, this one is worth a look. It has six damping levels, a footswitch for solo boosts, and an XLR DI Out with speaker simulation, so you can send a signal to a mixer or recording setup. It suits players who need to keep volume low at home or in the studio, or who want to take their amp sound to a sound desk.
Pros
- Full tube compression gives you tube amp character at room volume
- Reactive Load Technology is built to preserve the amp's tone and dynamics
- Footswitchable 3 dB / 6 dB solo function lets you boost lead parts on cue
Cons
- At 6.8 kg it is not light to carry from gig to gig
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Warm Audio Reamper Guitar Reamp Preamp
WA-RA Reamper · Warm Audio
20 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1.65 kg
You might like the WA-RA Reamper if you run a tube amp and want to record it quietly, without a speaker. It acts as a hub that connects your guitar amp, pedals, synths and studio gear. You will need a separate power supply to run it, since none comes in the box.
Pros
- Routes guitar amps, effects pedals, synthesizers and studio gear in one hub
- Built-in power soak lets tube amps up to 50 W be recorded silently without a speaker
- Lets studio equipment join the guitar chain, or guitar effects join the studio chain
Cons
- Needs a separate 90–240 V AC power supply, which is not included
64AudioFu
Index↓ 2.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$557 · Aug 17$543 now$543€486 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Fryette PS-100 Power Station Dual-Mode Reactance Amplifier
Power Station 100 · Fryette
13 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight7.3 kg
This one suits you if you run a high-powered tube amp and want to turn its volume down. It has two channels, each with its own volume, presence and depth sliders, plus a remote foot switch so you can change settings on stage. It is a good pick if you want flexible control during live shows.
Pros
- Two channels, each with its own volume, presence and depth sliders
- Two remote-controlled, foot-switchable controls for live performance flexibility
- Active safety bypass maintains the load if the speaker output is accidentally unplugged
Cons
- Needs a 100 W amplifier with 2x 6550 tubes to be used with it
62AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,674 now$1,674€1,499 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 31 guitar amp attenuators
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box AttenuatorOX Amp Top Box · Universal Audio61Stable$1,562€1,399$1,562€1,399Check ↗
- 12
JHS Pedals Little Black AmpJHS Pedals60↓ 2.9%$74€66$74€66Check ↗
- 13
Fryette Power Load IRFryette59Stable$1,004€899$1,004€899Check ↗
- 14
Two Notes Torpedo Captor Loadbox/Attenuator/DI - 8 OhmTorpedo Captor 8 Ohms · Two Notes58Stable$221€198$221€198Check ↗
- 15
Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander CoreWAZA Tube Amp Expander Core · Boss54Stable$765€685$765€685Check ↗
- 16
Two Notes Torpedo Captor X ProTwo Notes54Stable$1,115€999$1,115€999Check ↗
- 17
Two Notes Reload II Loadbox & AttenuatorTwo Notes54Stable$1,115€999$1,115€999Check ↗
- 18
Fryette Power Station PS-2AFryette51Stable$1,283€1,149$1,283€1,149Check ↗
- 19
Harley Benton PA-100 Power AttenuatorHarley Benton50Stable$77€69$77€69Check ↗
- 20
Harley Benton PA-250 Power AttenuatorHarley Benton50Stable$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 21
SPL 1160 Reducer 200-Watt Power SoakReducer · SPL50Stable$334€299$334€299Check ↗
- 22
TAD Silencer 16 Ohms BlackTAD50Stable$535€479$535€479Check ↗
- 23
TAD Silencer 8 Ohms BlackTAD50Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 24
Bad Cat PurePath React Load & Cab SimBad Cat48Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 25
Koch Amps LB120-II/8Koch Amps · 3 finishes46Stable$415€372$415€372Check ↗
- 26
Rivera RockCrusher Power Attenuator and Load BoxRockCrusher · Rivera44Stable$814€729$814€729Check ↗
- 27
Bugera PS1 Power Soak 100-Watt AttenuatorPS1 Power Soak · Bugera42Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 28
Rivera RockCrusher Recording Power Attenuator & Load Box 8/16 Ohm w/…RockCrusher Recording · Rivera37↓ 10.0%$1,004€899$1,004€899Check ↗
- 29
Palmer PDI-06-16 OhmPalmer35Stable$296€265$296€265Check ↗
- 30
Palmer PDI-06-8 OhmPalmer35Stable$296€265$296€265Check ↗
- 31
Rockboard RPA 100 Power AttenuatorRockboard33Stable$88€79$88€79Check ↗
Guitar Amp Attenuators by the numbers
Measured across all 34 models we track, not a sample.
Median $557 — half of all guitar amp attenuators here cost less.
median of 21 models · 1 kg–6.9 kg
How to choose the best guitar amp attenuators
Attenuation Level
This is the obvious one - how much your amp's volume is reduced. A wider range (e.g., -6dB to -12dB) offers more flexibility, but too much attenuation can introduce unwanted filtering and compression, especially on lower-wattage amps.
Transformer Quality
This is the critical factor. Cheap transformers sound brittle, introduce harshness, and muddy the low-end - totally killing the amp's character. Look for reputable brands and consider the impedance matching to your amp's output power section; mismatches sound awful.
Frequency Response
Some attenuators radically alter the frequency response, scooping out mids or emphasizing highs. A good attenuator should be transparent, preserving the amp's original voicing as much as possible - you want that fat midrange honk, not a scooped-out mess.
Loading Options
Different amps respond differently to varying load impedances. Attenuators with selectable loading (e.g., 4, 8, or 16 ohms) allow you to fine-tune the tone and breakup character, especially important for lower wattage amps to avoid flabby bass or harsh highs.
Noise and Hum
Poorly shielded attenuators can introduce unwanted noise and hum, especially at higher attenuation levels. This is a direct result of component quality and build - cheap ones often buzz like a swarm of angry bees.
Buying guide
So, you've got a cranked Marshall or a blistering Plexi tone dialed in, but your apartment walls are about to cave, or the venue's PA is already monstrous? That's where attenuators come in. They tame those high-volume beasts, letting you chase that glorious tube saturation at lower overall volumes - crucial for recording, bedroom practice, or even a rehearsal where you don't want to blow everyone's eardrums. Let's break down what makes a good one, because not all attenuators are created equal; some just suck the life out of your amp.
Don't cheap out on an attenuator. Seriously. A bad one will make your amp sound worse than running it at whisper levels.
Spending a little more on a unit with quality transformers is always worth it - you're preserving your amp's investment. Consider the power rating of your amp and the attenuation levels you realistically need; a high-powered attenuator for a 5-watt Champ is overkill and wasteful.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 34 guitar amp attenuators from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Will an attenuator make my amp quieter without changing the tone?
No. All attenuators alter the tone to some degree, though good ones minimize the impact. The better the transformer, the more transparent it will be, but there's always some interaction.
Can I use an attenuator with any amp?
Technically, yes, but it's not always a good idea. High-wattage amps (100W+) can be tricky, and you need to be careful about impedance matching to avoid damaging the amp's power section. Lower wattage amps generally benefit the most.
What's the difference between a power attenuator and a load box?
A power attenuator reduces volume and often offers impedance switching. A load box simulates an amp's load without actually reducing volume - you still need a PA or FRFR system. Load boxes are often used for recording direct and experimenting with amp voicings.
My attenuator is making a high-pitched squeal. What's wrong?
That's almost certainly a transformer issue or an impedance mismatch. Try adjusting the loading on the attenuator, or consider a higher-quality unit.
Can I use an attenuator to get a 'clean' sound at high volumes?
Attenuators are primarily for reducing volume while retaining saturated tones. While you can use them for cleaner sounds, you'll likely lose headroom and articulation, and the transformer's interaction can still color the tone.
