altec amplifier output

[valhallax]

is there anyway to determine how much my amplifier is putting out? reason for asking..i have a set of 515b's and i would hate to overdrive them. im thinking a gauge, meter or something? the ones ive seen were for input..not output. thanks in advance

[LICORNE]

It depend on the signal you put in.What is the wattage of your amp?

If it's not built in you will have to buy some meters that you put between the preamp and your amp.

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[LICORNE]

Here is one model.

http://www.dorrough.com/Products/Ana...el_analog.html




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[valhallax]

the paticular amp im running is a 9444a anniversary amp 200 watts/ channell @ 8 ohms. correct me if im wrong, but a meter before the amp would only tell me the vrms going in? the manual states input sensitivity at 8 ohms dual mode to be 1.6 dbu or 0.932 v rms. maximum input at 20 dbu or 7.775 v rms. to the best of my knowledge, which aint much, amps covert volts to watts, some better than others. is there such a thing as a watts meter?

[Old Guy]

I wouldn't worry.

Essentially, keep the clip lights out. Music has peaks way above the average level- if you don't clip on peaks at 200 watts, your average level should be low enough for the 515's to handle.

I run double the RMS ratings to speakers all the time- it's much safer than having a smaller amp and clipping it. Just keep the clip lights out- clipping is much harder on speakers than a higher powered amp.

[bowtie427ss]

Essentially, keep the clip lights out.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree strongly!

The only thing i might add is that with the amount of power you're using, if your 515B's are original with phenolic spiders and paper surround, i would strongly consider the use of some kind of processor to implement a hi pass filter at the LF cutoff of the 210 boxes.

It's my guess that with recorded music and today's recording practices you might well be able to physically harm the 515's without grossly exceeding their power rating.

I'd be inclined to save my 515B's for a low power tube amp or a collector, and replace them with newer versions using cloth surrounds, dampers and 75 watt voice coils if you want to thump 'em with big solid state power.

Just my .02 y'all understand

[bfish]

Output measurement techniques are heavily frequency-influenced. Both current and voltage are measured to calculate wattage. Easiest DIY technique is to substitute a resistive load eqaul to the driver's nominal impedance, and measure the load voltage and series current using a sine wave of a frequency compatible with your meter.

If your 9444 is an SA model with stepped attenuators, you can set ~ accurate output levels with a known input signal. The straight 'A' model attenuators seem to have a different taper, with a less-than-linear scale.

With maybe the exception of an old Robinaire 120VAC (appliance) wattmeter, I've had poor results with leave-in-place wattmeters. Radio Shack had a 100Wx2 model once, but like most others, it rings back into the circuit.

[valhallax]

i'll tell ya.. in my 210's..as ive only the one pair of 515b's , im running 418b's in the other cab. the difference in sound is amazing! the 515b is sooo smooth and accurate, while the mi speaker kinda rings my ears. i turned around and faced the other direction to make sure what i was hearing was right. how could i possibly take them out? just dont want to melt them is all. they are fresh recones from gpa and im sure i could learn the hard way and have bill do them over again, but in the mean time, ive never heard anything so velvety smooth and precise