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Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual) (Read 2481 times)
canonken
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Posts: 151
Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
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!
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DPC
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Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Reply #1 - 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.
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canonken
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Posts: 151
Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Reply #2 - 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.
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Archie
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Posts: 2731
Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Reply #3 - 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.
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ZLC
Technics 1200G TT w/ Ortofon Jubilee MC cart
ZMC1
ZP3 (25th A Mods)
ZR2 (25th A Mods)
CSP3 (25th A mods)
ZMA (25th A mods)
Homemade Big Betsy Speakers (F15s)
Silver Cabling
DIY Isolation platforms under amps & TT.
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DPC
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Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Reply #4 - 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 +/- ?

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Archie
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Posts: 2731
Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Reply #5 - 04/11/21 at 19:03:34
 
If the voice coils "short" doesn't it make a horrible loud and potentially damaging noise?
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ZLC
Technics 1200G TT w/ Ortofon Jubilee MC cart
ZMC1
ZP3 (25th A Mods)
ZR2 (25th A Mods)
CSP3 (25th A mods)
ZMA (25th A mods)
Homemade Big Betsy Speakers (F15s)
Silver Cabling
DIY Isolation platforms under amps & TT.
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Lin
Ex Member



Re: Intentionally shorting Decware amps (from manual)
Reply #6 - 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
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