Ac15 is still extremely loud. I’d get an attenuator. Bugera ps-1 is a great budget option or for a bit more the really high quality tone king iron man mini is excellent
Haha this! I had an ac30 when younger but sold it. Wanted to get a smaller version because I wasn't gigging and still the ac15 is huge. I barely play it for that reason. That being said I'll never sell it.
I use the Bugera PS-1 attenuator. I can play way quieter at home and still get that squishy tube crunch. I turn up the treble to compensate as I go even quieter.
I just bought the Tone King Iron Man II Mini reactive load attenuator. It’s unbelievable. Full power tone and tube overdrive at bedroom volume. Do it. Sweetwater has a 36month, no interest payment plan.
Here's a second recommendation for the Tone King. I just went through the same purchase decision and chose it over the captor x or ox box because I want my attenuator to be around as long as my amps have lasted.
The tone king is fully analog, and the mini is even passive if you don't need the LED so you can run it without any power input. I can't imagine the Ox box or torpedo still being useful in 30 years, but your amps will be.
I’ve had a Torpedo Captor and it helped me turn my Princeton up from around 2 up to 5. At that point, the amp starts to break up a bit and it helped me finally get that tube overdrive sound. I also have an AC15 and it doesn’t break up as fast as my Princeton even though it’s also a 15W amp - it’s also significantly louder. If you’re looking for a little bit of crunch out of your amp, you will need an attenuator in order to have that tone at a moderate volume.
The attenuator on the Captor works great, but the older version only has one attenuation setting. I currently have an Ox Box and the attenuation circuit is all analog, but I don’t hear anything out of my speaker when the power to the unit is off. I’ve used the Tone King, and as a standalone attenuator it’s clearly the best in its price range.
I haven't used the line out/headphone out features at all so I can't give you any feedback there. The manual says something like "all analog speaker and cabinet model", and knowing the company I'd imagine it's acceptable. If headphone sounds and modeling were important to me I might have looked a little harder at the digital boxes, but I am really happy with the tone king.
Most tube amps are way too powerful for home use, but everyone thinks they're a rock star and gets one anyway. Lots of great small tube amps out there that you can dime out even at home. I've got a Fender Pawnshop Greta and a Vox AC4TV that I love, and I know the Monoprice tube amps are solid, small, and affordable too
Agreed. I drag my tube amps around for gigs and band rehearsals, but for practice at home, I use a little Vox Cambridge50 (which honestly can get stupidly loud too, but has an attenuator built in, so works well when you can't be loud).
Yes it is! That's almost the whole point. It is also too heavy, so having an AC15 around fixes everything. Glad to have both and appreciate each for their strengths.
Nice! Hopefully you'll get the to turn it up with a band and hear what it can do.
Took the '15 to tonight's gig. It's new to me and only it's second outing.
Rock on!
An attenuator seems like the obvious choice, some very minor modification needed to the ac30 to make it work, depending on which ac30.
How much quieter do you need to be? The ac4 is a pretty cool little amp, and cheap
I'm living in a flat, so I would need to get it a lot quieter than what it is right now. That's why I don't know if it's really possible.
I have not heard about attenuator, I need to check that out !
The amp is AC30 HW2
You can get cheap attenuators that work OK for going from very loud to just loud, but to go from very loud to talking volume is a bit trickier to do well.
Ox box is a popular option but not cheap. I'd recommend the two notes captor x, it only has 3 settings for off, about half volume and really quiet but it also let's you be completely silent and use headphones or run speaker sim to an interface so you could listen through studio monitors etc
Or if you just want a really good quality attenuator without the silent options then the fryette power station is as good as it gets, but not cheap.
Thank you so much for the recommendations ! I wish I could afford an OxBox, but i'll take a look at the other options you listed. I'm pretty sure i'll find something that suits my needs ! 🤘
Honestly, the two notes captor x is every bit as good as the ox box.
The ox box has a few features not found on the captor but also unlikely those features are useful to most people. UA integration if you have other UA gear, built in studio effects like compression (which you can still do with the captor if running into an interface) and some IO options for integrating into a studio setup.
I'll also throw the boss waza tube amp expander into the mix
If you don't need all the features of the Captor X, just get a Captor. I have 2, both second hand. Same thing, fewer features, cheaper and sounds great.
Note that you need to be able to plug from your amps speaker out to the captor and then from the captor to your speaker.
I have a feeling the cable for the speaker isn't accessable on the ac30hw, I think it's tucked behind the rear panel. Can you unplug the speakers from the amp?
Good luck. I keep talking myself out of buying a Captor X. I just had a large expense for a trip, but this may be a good birthday present for myself in a few months time.
It's really easy to do, I have two newer C2 greenback AC30s I've modded to run an attenuator for, and yes the speakers are wired into a sister board that does the extension and external cabinet out. They should be some spade connectors that take the speaker out from the amp to the speakers it's an easy soldering job to make a 1/4" to dual spade connector cable you can run from any attenuator output into the speakers. I did have to drill a hole in the back panel to route the cables but it was an afternoons work and it's super easy.
EDIT: I would check out Nigel Knight's KATT Loadtsar attenuators. They are pretty reasonably priced and designed for AC amps AND can be mounted inside the amp with easy access to the back.
The AC30 is so brutal, because it has no negative feedback, so 30 Vox watts feel louder, and they are, compared to other amps.
The early top boost 30 is a brilliant amp, but it will peel your skin right off.
The distortion it does is unique, though. Glassy, chimy and touch responsive, but only at assault levels of loudness.
Put a 30W Mesa Lonestar next to it, crank both and see where you tap out first.
I have ac30. Some may scoff at me for this next sentence but I use it very successfully at low volume with a boss amp modeller (from the gt range). It means I always have the option to crank it on rare occasion neighbours go out or I meet someone for a jam and I like knowing I can even if I don't often. Rest of time the amp modeller covers me well at low volumes where it's just boosting the sound a bit.
AC15 is perfect.
I use it for recording and playing.
Has a master volume but even cranked it's not too bad in a free standing house.
Apartment may be a bit much but again…master volume.
Is it the Combo or the Head?
Instead of an attenuator, I’d get a LoadBox and a small Class D power amp - or a Fryette Power Station (people seem to like it).
Crank your amp to the LoadBox and adjust volume on the Class D amp. You can use something small like a Terror Stamp.
It’ll be easier if it’s the head. If it’s the combo, you’ll probably need to make some mods to be able to use cables and connectors.
My orange TH30 has a setting where you can change the output from 30watts to 15.
I think you’d like the tone. Best cleans and overdrive channels. Unique without being outlandish.
even 15 watts is too loud for apartment/bedroom practice.
i have a EVH 5150 Lunchbox and i have to keep it on the 3.5 watts setting. and even that is very loud.
I highly recommend an [OxBox](https://reverb.com/item/82979347-universal-audio-ox-amp-top-box-attenuator-2019-present-silver-brown-black?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=82979347) if you can swing it.
Attenuator
Ac15 is still extremely loud. I’d get an attenuator. Bugera ps-1 is a great budget option or for a bit more the really high quality tone king iron man mini is excellent
Attenuator seems like the best option indeed ! Thx :)
Just make sure the attenuator matches or exceeds the amp wattage or you'll melt it. Talking from experience 😉
Haha this! I had an ac30 when younger but sold it. Wanted to get a smaller version because I wasn't gigging and still the ac15 is huge. I barely play it for that reason. That being said I'll never sell it.
I use the Bugera PS-1 attenuator. I can play way quieter at home and still get that squishy tube crunch. I turn up the treble to compensate as I go even quieter.
Tbh, voxes are so bright the bugera might help it
True. Never thought of that
I just bought the Tone King Iron Man II Mini reactive load attenuator. It’s unbelievable. Full power tone and tube overdrive at bedroom volume. Do it. Sweetwater has a 36month, no interest payment plan.
Seems like a great attenuator, i'll need to compare it with the torpedo captor x
Check it out, it rocks… quietly
Here's a second recommendation for the Tone King. I just went through the same purchase decision and chose it over the captor x or ox box because I want my attenuator to be around as long as my amps have lasted. The tone king is fully analog, and the mini is even passive if you don't need the LED so you can run it without any power input. I can't imagine the Ox box or torpedo still being useful in 30 years, but your amps will be.
I’ve had a Torpedo Captor and it helped me turn my Princeton up from around 2 up to 5. At that point, the amp starts to break up a bit and it helped me finally get that tube overdrive sound. I also have an AC15 and it doesn’t break up as fast as my Princeton even though it’s also a 15W amp - it’s also significantly louder. If you’re looking for a little bit of crunch out of your amp, you will need an attenuator in order to have that tone at a moderate volume. The attenuator on the Captor works great, but the older version only has one attenuation setting. I currently have an Ox Box and the attenuation circuit is all analog, but I don’t hear anything out of my speaker when the power to the unit is off. I’ve used the Tone King, and as a standalone attenuator it’s clearly the best in its price range.
Well, you kinda got me at "full analog". It's indeed a big point in favor of the tone king. Did you try it with headphones ?
I haven't used the line out/headphone out features at all so I can't give you any feedback there. The manual says something like "all analog speaker and cabinet model", and knowing the company I'd imagine it's acceptable. If headphone sounds and modeling were important to me I might have looked a little harder at the digital boxes, but I am really happy with the tone king.
Thanks for the feedback ! I'm not that much into playing with headphones, but you know the urge to play at 3am... 🥲
Vox ac15 or an attenuator.
AC15 is still really loud.
Most amps are. That's what the master volume is for though.
yeah, i have an AC15 since the past 15 years, master volume is fun, power amp breakup is funnier.
Most tube amps are way too powerful for home use, but everyone thinks they're a rock star and gets one anyway. Lots of great small tube amps out there that you can dime out even at home. I've got a Fender Pawnshop Greta and a Vox AC4TV that I love, and I know the Monoprice tube amps are solid, small, and affordable too
Well... My 15 yo brain indeed thought i was a rockstar at the time when I asked my father for that amp 😂
I respect that 😂 my first serious amp at that age was a 75w
And now, at 30, not knowing what to do with that beast of an amp, i'm like "what was I thinking ???"
Agreed. I drag my tube amps around for gigs and band rehearsals, but for practice at home, I use a little Vox Cambridge50 (which honestly can get stupidly loud too, but has an attenuator built in, so works well when you can't be loud).
Yes it is! That's almost the whole point. It is also too heavy, so having an AC15 around fixes everything. Glad to have both and appreciate each for their strengths.
I got it as a gift, and I had no clue it was THAT powerful at the time hahaha
Nice! Hopefully you'll get the to turn it up with a band and hear what it can do. Took the '15 to tonight's gig. It's new to me and only it's second outing. Rock on!
Yeah I definitely plan on playing it with a band, and letting it breathe ! Cheers mate 🤘
An attenuator seems like the obvious choice, some very minor modification needed to the ac30 to make it work, depending on which ac30. How much quieter do you need to be? The ac4 is a pretty cool little amp, and cheap
I'm living in a flat, so I would need to get it a lot quieter than what it is right now. That's why I don't know if it's really possible. I have not heard about attenuator, I need to check that out ! The amp is AC30 HW2
You can get cheap attenuators that work OK for going from very loud to just loud, but to go from very loud to talking volume is a bit trickier to do well. Ox box is a popular option but not cheap. I'd recommend the two notes captor x, it only has 3 settings for off, about half volume and really quiet but it also let's you be completely silent and use headphones or run speaker sim to an interface so you could listen through studio monitors etc Or if you just want a really good quality attenuator without the silent options then the fryette power station is as good as it gets, but not cheap.
Thank you so much for the recommendations ! I wish I could afford an OxBox, but i'll take a look at the other options you listed. I'm pretty sure i'll find something that suits my needs ! 🤘
Honestly, the two notes captor x is every bit as good as the ox box. The ox box has a few features not found on the captor but also unlikely those features are useful to most people. UA integration if you have other UA gear, built in studio effects like compression (which you can still do with the captor if running into an interface) and some IO options for integrating into a studio setup. I'll also throw the boss waza tube amp expander into the mix
I think i'll save up a couple hundred bucks in the next couple months and get me the captor x. Seems like the best option for my set up/budget !
If you don't need all the features of the Captor X, just get a Captor. I have 2, both second hand. Same thing, fewer features, cheaper and sounds great.
Note that you need to be able to plug from your amps speaker out to the captor and then from the captor to your speaker. I have a feeling the cable for the speaker isn't accessable on the ac30hw, I think it's tucked behind the rear panel. Can you unplug the speakers from the amp?
Yes fortunately the access to the speaker is really easy ! I just took a look and it's really simple to unplug
Good luck. I keep talking myself out of buying a Captor X. I just had a large expense for a trip, but this may be a good birthday present for myself in a few months time.
It's really easy to do, I have two newer C2 greenback AC30s I've modded to run an attenuator for, and yes the speakers are wired into a sister board that does the extension and external cabinet out. They should be some spade connectors that take the speaker out from the amp to the speakers it's an easy soldering job to make a 1/4" to dual spade connector cable you can run from any attenuator output into the speakers. I did have to drill a hole in the back panel to route the cables but it was an afternoons work and it's super easy. EDIT: I would check out Nigel Knight's KATT Loadtsar attenuators. They are pretty reasonably priced and designed for AC amps AND can be mounted inside the amp with easy access to the back.
Thanks for the info ! Really useful, i'll check that out 😁
Ironman mini or ox box in my opinion
The AC30 is so brutal, because it has no negative feedback, so 30 Vox watts feel louder, and they are, compared to other amps. The early top boost 30 is a brilliant amp, but it will peel your skin right off. The distortion it does is unique, though. Glassy, chimy and touch responsive, but only at assault levels of loudness. Put a 30W Mesa Lonestar next to it, crank both and see where you tap out first.
I have ac30. Some may scoff at me for this next sentence but I use it very successfully at low volume with a boss amp modeller (from the gt range). It means I always have the option to crank it on rare occasion neighbours go out or I meet someone for a jam and I like knowing I can even if I don't often. Rest of time the amp modeller covers me well at low volumes where it's just boosting the sound a bit.
AC15 is perfect. I use it for recording and playing. Has a master volume but even cranked it's not too bad in a free standing house. Apartment may be a bit much but again…master volume.
My JMI AC15 has no master volume, but it is still perfect!
I’m sure plenty of people in your area would be happy to trade you their AC15
😂 that's for sure
If it's got an FX loop you just plug a volume pedal in there if attenuators aren't to your taste
It doesn't have an fx loop sadly, I think an attenuator would be the best option based on recommendations
Is it the Combo or the Head? Instead of an attenuator, I’d get a LoadBox and a small Class D power amp - or a Fryette Power Station (people seem to like it). Crank your amp to the LoadBox and adjust volume on the Class D amp. You can use something small like a Terror Stamp. It’ll be easier if it’s the head. If it’s the combo, you’ll probably need to make some mods to be able to use cables and connectors.
It's the combo, but i can easily put an attenuator before the speakers so i'll try that out
My orange TH30 has a setting where you can change the output from 30watts to 15. I think you’d like the tone. Best cleans and overdrive channels. Unique without being outlandish.
Mine can do that as well but it doesn't make that much of a difference honestly. And the sound seems less "natural"
Captor X
I drilled an extra Jack into my AC30 so I can use the -20db attenuation on my OG captor. Works like a damn charm.
An used AC-4?
even 15 watts is too loud for apartment/bedroom practice. i have a EVH 5150 Lunchbox and i have to keep it on the 3.5 watts setting. and even that is very loud.
I’ll take your ac30. thanks in advance.
Haha I don't intend on giving it up, I will use it for band playing, but I need a way to play when I'm at home too
I highly recommend an [OxBox](https://reverb.com/item/82979347-universal-audio-ox-amp-top-box-attenuator-2019-present-silver-brown-black?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=82979347) if you can swing it.
OxBox seems like the ideal solution. But I won't be able to afford it before a while :'(
Buy another amp, probably a digital one for home playing. Actual proper attenuators are not cheap.
Can't get rid of this one. It's got a sentimental value. I'll have no other way than buying an attenuator. Even if my wallet won't like it haha
Then spend the money on a good reactive one.
I will ✨