[JoshK]

Can someone explain, or point me to some readings about, what shunt attenuators are, or rather how they differ from regular attenuators?  What exactly is 'shunt'?  

This might also be a good thread to talk about and describe differences between different types of attenuators.

1) Potentiometers
2) Series stepped attenuators
3) Ladder stepped attenuators
4) Shunt attenuators
etc, etc.

I know it has probably been covered elsewhere before but maybe we should go over it here simply for others.  I admit I am somewhat unclear as to the difference between 2 & 3.

[Occam]

Josh,

Here is an excellent and practical reference, complete with examples, calculations, etc...
http://gainclone.platenspeler.com/homepage/uk_index.html

Click on 'Projects' or 'DIY Pages' and then scrolll halfway down the page to the 'GainClown' entries and click on "How to build a 12- or 24-step attenuator" and it describes all that you seek....
It even discusses, complete with calculations, attenuators (which are in the feedback path) for invered inputs. Very kewl.

Though it doesn't describe the technically best, and most impractical attenuator,  the 'T-Attenuator'
 

[JoshK]

Great reference!  Thanks Occam.