power amp into 412 Wattage question

twizza · 14th June 2005, 09:14 AM

hey all
I recentlly got a power amp (SS) which when running at 8 ohm impedance will push 125 watts per channel. My cabinet is rated at 200 watts (4x50 watt). My question is will I be in danger of blowing the speakers, or will I be cool as long as I don't push it to hard? Can you run more watts into a cab than its rating, in this case 250 watts into a 200 watt cab? I'm almost thinking it's desirable. My head now is 140 watts, and when I really push it, it doesn't sound as good. ( one of the drawbacks of solid state compared to tube). With my new power amp (Carvin DCM 600), I assume I would have to push it nearly has hard. Obviosly what I don't want is to blow my speakers at practice (or gig).

Jan Dupont · 14th June 2005, 04:33 PM

How can anybody answer your question

Quote:

My question is will I be in danger of blowing the speakers, or will I be cool as long as I don't push it to hard

??? It also depends on your speakers specifications

If your new 125W/ch amp are class A/B, just put it into your 4x50W cabinet. Just see to that nothing blocks the air around the heatsinks, and that you don't push it to hard

And always keep in mind, that amplifier and speaker should match each other......

still4given · 14th June 2005, 05:20 PM

If I understand you correctly, you are saying your new amp is a Carvin DCM600.

I own one of these. First of all, it puts out 125WRMS into 8 ohm both channels driven. However, in bridged mode, which is how you would probably use it into one cabinet, it puts out 450 WRMS into 8 ohms and 600WRMS into 4 ohms. I have never had a problem with my amp but I did blow a speaker once because of a song going into distortion. If you are planning to use this as a guitar or bass amp where it is likely that you may drive it into distortion I would not use it in bridged mode. Use only one channel or the other.

Blessings, Terry

http://www.carvin.com/manuals/DCM1000.pdf#search=

Mr Evil · 14th June 2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ACD
And always keep in mind, that amplifier and speaker should match each other......

Actually, it may be sensible to use an overpowered amp so that it never goes into clipping and blows a tweeter.

Jan Dupont · 14th June 2005, 05:51 PM

Just what I ment, but didn't specify

It's much more easy to hear when a speaker is going into overload distortion than to hear an amp producing tons of harmonic distortion

still4given · 14th June 2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Evil

Actually, it may be sensible to use an overpowered amp so that it never goes into clipping and blows a tweeter.

I would agree with that but the important part of that statement is "that it never goes into clipping".

He didn't say what he was using it for. If it is for PA or guitar, the chance that it will go into clipping at some point is very high. I would not suggest using an amp that is rated higher wattage than the speaker cabinet in those applications.

Blessings, Terry

anatech · 15th June 2005, 02:06 AM

It sounds like a guitar head to perform. No tweeters to worry about. Since it's a SS amp I agree with still4given. Run one channel only.

If it's for guitar I think a tube head would be way closer to the sound you want.

-Chris

amplifierguru · 15th June 2005, 02:43 AM

How about this

Use it in bridge mode with a light bulb in the speaker line - lower the strain on the amp and speaker and add that tube warmth!

Greg

anatech · 15th June 2005, 02:46 AM

Okay, now it's a Carvin TFM/DCM 600. (<Tube> Transfer Modified). Sound familiar?

Carver lives !!

-Chris

amplifierguru · 15th June 2005, 03:00 AM

The elegant solution - uses the full output (voltage) ability of the amp but lightens the load, AND , if he's using it for bass and selects the bulb well, a visual cue for the beat.

Which bulb? Need to keep a spare handy (it's the fuse).

Greg

14th June 2005, 09:14 AM	#1
twizza diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pac NW	power amp into 412 Wattage question hey all I recentlly got a power amp (SS) which when running at 8 ohm impedance will push 125 watts per channel. My cabinet is rated at 200 watts (4x50 watt). My question is will I be in danger of blowing the speakers, or will I be cool as long as I don't push it to hard? Can you run more watts into a cab than its rating, in this case 250 watts into a 200 watt cab? I'm almost thinking it's desirable. My head now is 140 watts, and when I really push it, it doesn't sound as good. ( one of the drawbacks of solid state compared to tube). With my new power amp (Carvin DCM 600), I assume I would have to push it nearly has hard. Obviosly what I don't want is to blow my speakers at practice (or gig).

14th June 2005, 05:51 PM	#5
Jan Dupont diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark	Mr Evil Just what I ment, but didn't specify It's much more easy to hear when a speaker is going into overload distortion than to hear an amp producing tons of harmonic distortion __________________ Free Schematic and Service Manual downloads www.audio-circuit.dk, Company: www.dupont-audio.com, Joint venture: www.DupontMantra.com

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14th June 2005, 05:20 PM	#3
still4given diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	If I understand you correctly, you are saying your new amp is a Carvin DCM600. I own one of these. First of all, it puts out 125WRMS into 8 ohm both channels driven. However, in bridged mode, which is how you would probably use it into one cabinet, it puts out 450 WRMS into 8 ohms and 600WRMS into 4 ohms. I have never had a problem with my amp but I did blow a speaker once because of a song going into distortion. If you are planning to use this as a guitar or bass amp where it is likely that you may drive it into distortion I would not use it in bridged mode. Use only one channel or the other. Blessings, Terry http://www.carvin.com/manuals/DCM1000.pdf#search=

15th June 2005, 02:06 AM	#7
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	It sounds like a guitar head to perform. No tweeters to worry about. Since it's a SS amp I agree with still4given. Run one channel only. If it's for guitar I think a tube head would be way closer to the sound you want. -Chris

15th June 2005, 02:43 AM	#8
amplifierguru Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Earth	How about this Use it in bridge mode with a light bulb in the speaker line - lower the strain on the amp and speaker and add that tube warmth! Greg

15th June 2005, 02:46 AM	#9
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Okay, now it's a Carvin TFM/DCM 600. (<Tube> Transfer Modified). Sound familiar? Carver lives !! -Chris

15th June 2005, 03:00 AM	#10
amplifierguru Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Earth	The elegant solution - uses the full output (voltage) ability of the amp but lightens the load, AND , if he's using it for bass and selects the bulb well, a visual cue for the beat. Which bulb? Need to keep a spare handy (it's the fuse). Greg

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