arfandbark Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 I've been running my PS 400s as monoblocks to my Cornwalls for months now @ 2/3rd's volume ampwise. Is there a reason I should not run my power amps wide open all the time? I like the reliability of my old Crowns. If this is detrimental to thier health I'd appreciate someone telling me so... Otherwise I'm gonna give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 shouldn't hurt the amps at all...but I am not an expert...so don't sue me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironwoods Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Hi, not being familiar with those amps, but judging by the model number, I'll assume they're 400 watts, and at 2/3's, it may be providing a margin of safety in the event that someone not in the know, get's their greezy mitts on the main volume control. You're not planning on making use of that last 1/3rd..... are ya? [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 your adjusting the input sensitivity, right ....??? set it where the amp doesn't have , perhaps an annoying hiss it will still deliver rated power at lower , "more", attenuation settings, it just takes more Preamp Drive to get there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclonecj Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Maybe I am on the wrong track here, the the Crown PS-400 is rated 660 watts bridged, and you are feeding Cornwalls? If the Corns actually put up with this, I think I would be more worried about your ears.[:|] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 I'm with Duke, you really don't need full power, I'd adjust to about 2/3-3/4 full throttle to reduce noise. Headroom is still pretty much still there. Why TWO PS400's? Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 As Duke said, they'll still make full power if the preamp can supply the necessary signal level. It's a fairly common misconception that power amps should be dimed all the time. One wonders why this approach with Corns, but I've been down that bloody road before, and don't really wish to do so again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfandbark Posted December 25, 2005 Author Share Posted December 25, 2005 I think I have my answer. Thanks guys. If I don't ask questions, I'm on my own knowledgewise. I'm sorry I wasn't more explicit when I first typed this question in... My point was, will running the amps "full throttle" enhance the sound moreso than using them @ 2/3rds power as I have been. Not because of the volume. Sound quality. Takes some work away from the pre amp. Seeings I'm preamp weak, this is a good thing. The PS 400s are indeed 660 watts bridged, that doesn't mean I'm using all that..... Nothing like having headspace, however. If I start bothering Mr. Crites for K-33s you guys will be the first to know. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted December 25, 2005 Share Posted December 25, 2005 well for quality purposes you might try unbridging your amps to get them working in a more linear range.....the physics behind bridging severely hurt the sound quality at lower power levels and no amount of upstream attenuation is going to change that for a given SPL. Keep in mind that you're pushing only 1 watt when it's about 100dB...when bridged that's only 1/2 watt through each channel. Or at 90dB that's 0.03watts per amp channel....and twice the noise floor and twice the distortion as running them unbridged. If your preamp is weak, then "fix" the problem with the preamp...putting all the gain of your system into the amplifier is not a recommended approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spkrdctr Posted December 25, 2005 Share Posted December 25, 2005 Dr. Who, your post is full of wisdom. I can't add anything to it. Well, except that if he is only using 1/2 a watt or so, he has plenty of headroom...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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