Power amps and impedance ratings...

  • Thread starter Thread starter KaBudokan
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KaBudokan

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On the recommendations of a bunch of the people here, I have a pair of Yorkville YSM-1 monitors on the way. I'm shopping around for an inexpensive power amp to use with these. On Yorkville's website, I see the YSM's have an impedance rating of 6 ohms. Pretty much all of the power amps I see have their ratings listed at 4 ohms and 8 ohms.

Is this an issue? Sorry if I am being ignorant and asking a basic question, but I really don't know. I don't want to pick up an amp and have it "not work" or be less than ideal. (Although in my price range, I think just about anything will be less than "ideal." ;) )

I saw on the "hot deals" page, someone linked to 2 Hafler power amp specials at Musician's Friend. Here's a link to the 1600, which is 75 wpc: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop?pid=480932&src=60183

Any thoughts on this amp, and more importantly, my original question regarding impedance?
 
Not really a problem - BUT, you really should get an amp that will handle a load down to 2 ohms. Impedance varies with signal - the monitors rating is usually a nominal value. Since a majority of monitors are 8 ohms, they tax amplifiers slightly less than one nominally rated at 6... since the YSMs are 6, if you pair it up with an amp that doesn't handle a low load very well, the amp may simply run out of steam - giving distortion and muddiness. If you're considering the Haflers, you shouldn't have ANY problem at all.... BTW - I would personally go with more than 75 watts of power - I wouldn't use less than 100 minimum, but 150 would be better. More power = cleaner sound -- louder too, but that's not why you get a higher power amp (since you're monitoring level is around 85db, right??) ;)

Let me know what you think of them once you fire them up!

:)

Bruce
 
So I was really worried about trying them with my Mackie amps. I have the 800 and the 1400. The 800 puts out 275 Watts per channel @ 4 ohms and 140 Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms. The 1400 is 500 Watts and 300 Watts in those same categories. Would either of these be ok for use?
Right now I am using a crap monitor amp with them and they sound really good to me, as far as CD listening anyways. I haven't mixed on them yet.
-H2H
 
Wouldn't be a problem - nice clean sound at that power point. Good for transients - just don't overdrive your monitors so much that you send the drivers across the room!
;)

Bruce
 
Ok... now for the inevitable question that I will get slapped upside the head for asking. ;)

Apart from being blasphemous (and the slapping, which I might like), can I temporarily hook the monitors up to a consumer Yamaha receiver? It is 90wpc, and it is a good receiver... I KNOW it isn't great, and I will definitely be getting a dedicated power amp soon, but will it damage anything if I go this route for a month or two?
 
No problem at all Ka... you won't damage a thing (unless you really blast it!)

Bruce
 
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