Hi-fi Products
In-line attenuators, RCA (phono) format.
Reduces signal level to improve control of volume at low levels. Can improve signal to noise ratio in pre/power amps.
The price is for a pair of attenuators.
choosing the right option
Our standard attenuators are designed to be used on the input sockets of pre-amps, power amps or integrated amps rather than the output sockets of source equipment such as CD players.
The level of attenuation that we recommend for the vast majority of applications is -10dB. We also offer -15dB and -20dB attenuators where a greater level of attenuation is required. 15dB is useful when a system has even more excess gain than is common. 20dB is a lot of attenuation usually is not required. 10dB is the right choice in about 80% of cases, in our experience.
We also offer "source" attenuators. These have the input on the male end of the attenuator and the output on the female end and are intended to the used on the output sockets of CD players and pre-amps (as opposed to the input sockets of pre-amps and power amps, which is where the standard attenuators are used). This means the direction of the signal flow is opposite to our standard in-line attenuators and allows them to be used with equipment where space behind is restricted or the use of DIN connectors would make it otherwise impossible. Usually, though not always, this means Naim equipment.
Source attenuators are available with 10dB, 15dB or 20dB signal reduction.
Customer reviews
Not a big reviewer but all I can say is that my LFD LE 4 amp and evolution acoustics micro 1 speakers were hugely benefited by using the Rothwell attenuators 10DB . It does exactly what the website claims it will do. Great accessory many thanks.
Pankaj | Washington | May 2017
These work exactly as described - great solution and value for money Verified Purchase
These solved an excessive gain issue with my preamp - gained a lot of volume knob travel and quite an improvement in overall sound. The plugs are stackable (and I need far more than 10dB of attenuation), so I am able to mix and match to fine tune things.
Mike P | North Carolina, USA | June 2024
It's Made Listening Much More Fun Verified Purchase
I have a high gain preamplifier feeding into a high current, high power amplifier driving sensitive speakers. It WAS no fun using the volume knobs as even the slightest turn was too much. I could not turn it past 5-10% of the range. Then I installed -10dB attenuators from Rothwell and everything sounded "better". I heard more details across a much larger range of volumes. I did try another brand of attenuator and found it "muddied" the sound. I am so pleased with the Rothwell attenuators and so confident in them, I ordered the -5dB and the -20dB so I fine tune this system and others in the future.
Tony Scott | Maryland USA | October 2025
Attenuators
Brilliant works perfectly
Guy Ruddock | England | April 2026
