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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
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Message started by canonken on 04/10/21 at 15:36:08

Title: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by canonken on 04/10/21 at 15:36:08

I read this for the UFO:

SHORTING SPEAKER WIRES
When your tube amp is on and you want to unhook your speaker wires without turning
the amplifier off, it is an acceptable practice to SHORT the speaker wires TOGETHER.
Yes, it’s true, this protects the output transformers from operating without a load. They
can handle a dead short ALL DAY LONG without issue. This is JUST THE OPPOSITE
of many solid state amplifiers, which as you may know, will blow up instantly if you
short the speaker wires together, even for just a split second.

This answers my question not to worry about shorting it (don't worry about it), but I am confused about INTENTIONALLY shorting it while it is on and you are swapping speakers (something I do expect to do).

Can you actually hurt the amp by NOT doing the above, or just saying you can if you feel like it? I do plan to rotate speakers, and while the amp is on (though I would have the volume turned down all the way and have no signal playing).

Thanks!

Title: Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by DPC on 04/11/21 at 09:47:36

Interesting question. Have not found the need to do this here yet.
I'm surprised no one has responded to your question.

I do recall observing at past Decfest, Steve, Chris and Randy changing speakers. I do not think they turned the amp off but they did stop the music.

Title: Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by canonken on 04/11/21 at 14:25:31

Thanks, hoping others can give their take.

It also seems to say 'you can't hurt this amp...but you should also short to protect the output transformers' so not sure what is better or worse.

Title: Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by Archie on 04/11/21 at 17:52:39

I remember Steve saying that it's best to short the terminals but the amp won't be harmed if you don't.

Title: Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by DPC on 04/11/21 at 18:22:19

Giving the subject a tad more thought....

Is it not the case that when the speakers are playing, don't the voice coils essentially short the +/- ?

Title: Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by Archie on 04/11/21 at 19:03:34

If the voice coils "short" doesn't it make a horrible loud and potentially damaging noise?

Title: Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Post by Lin on 04/11/21 at 19:17:13

With the speakers hooked up there is resistance across the + and -, if it were a short solid state amps would not like it.

Output transformers like a load, some kind of resistance, or a completed circuit, with no signal and no load for a very brief period chances are nothing bad will happen. With the transformers shorted it goes from pretty sure it will be okay to 100% sure.
Ask yourself which one do you prefer?

Reminds me of the home mortgage commercial; what's the difference between sure and pretty sure?

https://youtu.be/EMgA-y2nRWE