Bridging Newb Looking to Clarify |
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AJ113
Registered User Joined: 11 March 2016 Location: Hull UK Status: Offline Points: 123 |
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I appreciate that what I am asking is 'against the rules' and technically it shouldn't even be contemplated, let alone attempted, but if nobody ever broke the rules and tried something different nothing would ever happen. So it would be interesting to hear from someone who has actually tried this (even if it was the result of a brain fart). |
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ceharden
The 10,000 Points Club Joined: 05 June 2005 Location: Southampton Status: Offline Points: 11776 |
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The problem is that you might get away with it the first time, the amp might just get a bit hot. You might get away with it the second time with the amp just going into thermal protect.
As I said before, there are some amplifiers which are designed to be able to cope with such accidental or intentional misuse and will activate protection circuitry to limit the output to a safe level or shut down. Some amps, such as the one you are referring to have a lot less protection. This probably means you'll get more power for less time! If you had something by say Crest, Crown, EV, QSC etc, then you'd be a lot safer. Incidentally, the Matrix amps are also a very good example why VU meters are often called Virtually Useless. They do little other than look pretty, I would not trust them at all to actually tell you how close to the limit you are. Again, some brands have much better metering/clip lights. |
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Wikl109
Young Croc Joined: 29 April 2009 Location: Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 968 |
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It's been asked on here before (some years back) about bridging the original single fan UK Power range in to loads lower than 8ohms.
I do seem to remember Andy (the designer of said amp) saying don't do it. I'm pretty certain he said the UKP-1600 & 2100 would be ok doing this as they were based on the STR twin fan layout. I used to run a UKP-1300 bridged on bass (in to 8ohms) and I spoke to a repair engineer who knew the UKP amps inside & out. He told me that range was never at it's best when run bridged and for reasons that were never known they always seemed to stress the output devices a lot more on one channel when being run that way. He advised against using them bridged even in to 8ohms. To the OP, at best you risk the amp shuting down mid gig. At worst you'll destroy the amp and send a load of DC to your speakers. |
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Cheers, Chris.
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AJ113
Registered User Joined: 11 March 2016 Location: Hull UK Status: Offline Points: 123 |
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Ok firstly, the amp I'm planning to bridge is not the Matrix (It was the subject of my OP but it's not the amp I'm going to bridge), it will either be a Hill Audio LC1200 or an APart champ one.
Secondly, my Matrix has two fans, so based on what Andy has said maybe it would be ok anyway.
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Wikl109
Young Croc Joined: 29 April 2009 Location: Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 968 |
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In that case things may be a bit different then. I'm not personally familiar with either the Hill or the Apart amp so couldn't comment there.
As for your Matrix UKP-1000 having 2 fans then i'd like to see a picture of that. I have owned & used many Matrix amps over the years and i've never seen a twin fan UKP-1000. The 500, 1000 & 1300 were all basically the same design with different size transformers & amount of output devices giving them the different power ratings. The original heavyweight UKP-1600 & 2100 came later and had a much bigger case. They also had a Powercon for the mains connection. I'm not doubting what you say about your 1000 having two fans but I really would like to see that. Is it not maybe one of the older grey range that came before the UKP's? |
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Cheers, Chris.
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AJ113
Registered User Joined: 11 March 2016 Location: Hull UK Status: Offline Points: 123 |
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Sorry, an error- the Matrix does indeed have one fan. So, probably ok for keeping cool on a hot summer's night or drying your hair maybe but no good for bridging into 4 ohms.
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Wikl109
Young Croc Joined: 29 April 2009 Location: Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 968 |
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Cheers, Chris.
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audiomik
Old Croc Joined: 06 April 2010 Location: Bath, UK Status: Offline Points: 2962 |
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My earlier post was to try to explain in simple terms, good practice in amplifier loading.
With over 40 years experience being directly involved in Amplifier design, including destruction testing before release to market, you will need a full and comprehensive understanding of Load Lines, Load Phase responses - Power Factor - and thermal capability of not simply an Amplifier's output stage. Please read up on and understand your theory before making avoidable mistakes and then expect someone else to fix the problem that you are deliberately creating Mik |
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Warning! May contain Nuts
plus springs, washers, screws, etc, etc. |
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AJ113
Registered User Joined: 11 March 2016 Location: Hull UK Status: Offline Points: 123 |
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I appreciate that there is a boatload of stuff that I don't know about, but you don't need to know how an engine works in order to drive a car. My skills lie behind a board, the less I am involved in hooking up a PA system the better, but it's a case of having to since I'm attempting to establish a working PA. Furthermore, if people didn't blow amps up then people who repair them wouldn't get any business. But I guess that's a separate issue. |
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AJ113
Registered User Joined: 11 March 2016 Location: Hull UK Status: Offline Points: 123 |
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So to conclude.....I didn't bridge anything. I just got extra amps. :)
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odc04r
Old Croc Joined: 12 July 2006 Location: Sarfampton Status: Offline Points: 5483 |
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Probably a wise decision that'll benefit in the long run.
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