Question 1

Does anybody if they are L pads, T pads or π pads? Can the signal go either direction through the pads?

Accepted Answer

They are directional. They go on the input side, in the back of the amp or receiver you are plugging the CD or other audio-feeding component into.

Question 2

What are the resistor values of the resistor ladder in this product? Passive attenuator alters the freq response b/c cable and amp input are not purely resistive. Customers should know how much alteration will occur with the passive attenuator.

Accepted Answer

Resistance measurements are: Jack-to-Gnd:9.0K, Jack-to-Plug:6.8K, Plug-to-Gnd:2.2K.  This implies that the attenuator consists simply of a 6.8K series resistor from Jack to Plug, and a 2.2K terminating resistor from Plug to Gnd.As a sanity check, 2.2/(2.2+6.8) = 0.24 = 12.2dB, matching the claimed attenuation.These measurements surprised me, though, because evidently this attenuator is NOT symmetric.  You must run the input signal into the Jack end and take the output from the plug end in order for it to behave as a 12dB attenuator.  If you run it the other way you will get some indeterminate attenuation based on the source impedance of your signal and the load impedance of whatever is receiving it, along with some worsened frequency  response as these interact with non-resistive elements of both ends.

Question 3

Is this -12dB signal attenuation or -12dB Power attenuation?

Accepted Answer

From product description found elsewhere. "Attenuators reduce the drive signal to an amplifier so that the input level or gain control can be adjusted in a more useful range. For example, if the line driver has an 8 volt output and the amplifier has a 100mV (0.1V) to 2 volt range of input level, the gain pots would have to be all the way down. A 12 dB attenuator would allow you to adjust the amp's gain control to about 1/2 rotation. Many home A/V receivers and basic amplifiers do not have input level controls and attenuators are also perfect for these applications...24 kt gold over brass construction." Also the product description on Amazon says this, "Attenuators reduce the drive signal to an amplifier so that the input level or gain control can be adjusted in a more useful range. "

Question 4

My ap4-gm61 has a 4v output, my 4ch amp has a 2v input sensitivity. Will these help?

Accepted Answer

First, what type of device is your 'gm61'?

I don't know how dB translates to volts, but the Harrison 12dB attenuators should definitely make an audible difference.  You'll have to turn your 4ch amp volume up higher to hear it as loud as before, but there will be less strain on its input stage.

Item Weight	0.01 Kilograms
Shape	Round
Color	Gold
Recommended Uses For Product	Audio signal level adjustment in audio equipment setups
Number of Pins	2
Additional Features	Short Distance
Connector Gender	Male-to-Male
Connector Type Used on Cable	RCA
Cable Type	Composite

Harrison Labs12 dB RCA Line Level Attenuator Pair

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