ok -i am getting ready to buy my 1st tube amp in over 40 years.
i am in the process of trying out different ones.

one thing i noticed is that some have a stitchable power output, giving you that great
tube tone at lower volume.

is that what an attenuator does? i am looking at amps in the 50-60 watt segment, and would love to be able to change the output based on home vs. gig levels.

do you use them?
is there something i should look for should i decide to buy one?

thanks for your help

The Weber Mass units are about the best out there at the moment for the best price. I use a Marshall PB100 for my 18watt amp at home. I used to use it for my JCM800 when gigging.
All attenuators change the sound you hear. Not because they change the way the amplifier works. It's more that the speaker cant push enough air.
MAKE SURE you use speaker cable to hook it up.
DONT run the amp on max and the attenuator on max attenuation. You'll go through valves needlessly fast.
Put the amp into standby or off to change attenuation level.
Make sure the amp is switched off till everything is hooked up right. Check and double check.

_________________
No no and no

i have seen the attenuators in different price ranges...

is there anything that makes one better than the other?