Patent ID: 7894615
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: H03F,H03G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus configured to be removably coupled to an electronic audio frequency amplifier, the electronic audio frequency amplifier comprising a preamplifier and a power amplifier and having a first electrical connector coupled to the output of the preamplifier and having a second electrical connector coupled to the input of the power amplifier, the apparatus comprising: a third electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to the first electrical connector in accordance with a first usage configuration; a fourth electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrical connector in accordance with the first usage configuration; and an electrical attenuator circuit operating to receive an input voltage signal from the preamplifier via the third electrical connector and to provide via the fourth electrical connector an output voltage signal to the power amplifier that is proportional to the input voltage according to a first proportion factor and the first proportion factor is such that the output voltage signal is less than the input voltage signal; wherein the apparatus is configured to also be used in accordance with a second usage configuration wherein the fourth electrical connector is electrically coupled to the first electrical connector and the third electrical connector is electrically coupled to the second electrical connector, and wherein, when the apparatus is used in accordance with the second usage configuration, the electrical attenuator circuit operates to receive the input voltage signal from the preamplifier via the fourth electrical connector and to provide via the third electrical connector an output voltage signal to the power amplifier that is proportional to the input voltage according to a second proportion factor, the second proportion factor being such that the output voltage signal is less than the input voltage signal; and wherein the first proportion factor is substantially different than the second proportion factor and wherein the user may selectively use either the first proportion factor or the second proportion factor by connecting the apparatus to the electronic audio frequency amplifier in accordance with either the first usage configuration or the second usage configuration, respectively.