The problem with the inexpensive Chinese attenuators is the quality of the switch. Many you will find seem to use the same white and blue plastic cased no-name switch. They also use all different types of resistors, some cheap, some well regarded so keep an eye on that aspect. I know they sell those switches for cheap so you can install your own resistors. But that particular switch sells for under $10 which tells much of the story. Of course there are probably several others that use a different switch. Regardless, there are still some that are supposed to sound pretty good but they arent going to hold up like a Goldpoint or other brand that uses a high quality switch. I have one that I bought based on reviews, was supposed to be good bang for the buck. I cannot recall the seller but I believe it may have been Valab. And I havent used it yet so cant comment on sonics. I decided not to install it in Crack because I wanted the finer control of a rotary volume pot. I will eventually install it in an amp I have. I know that some here dismiss the stock Alpha pot so I guess Im in the minority in saying that I never thought they sounded bad. They wont last forever, tend to get scratchy, arent the smoothest and they do tend to have the imbalance at the lower listening levels. For that reason, I replaced with an Alps "Blue" which I think are pretty good at the price ($14 at Mouser electronics) although some also dismiss the Alps. I've never heard the Alpha pot change the character of the sound at certian listening levels.
Do some internet searching for related terms concerning chinese stepped attenuators, you should come up with some hits. Or better yet, search ebay and then search for comments based on what you find from certian sellers. Valab and, I believe, 8audio, are a couple pretty popular chinese sellers. There are others. You can always pick up a cheap chinese stepped or two and just do some experimenting/listening. Maybe an Alps "blue" ($14 at Mouser) if you want to try a different rotary pot later on. If they dont suit you, you wont be out much, you'll have some spare parts and can go with a Goldpoint. Or just bite the bullet and go with the Goldpoint
