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Can The SMSL SA-50 Be Bridged?

camerakid

camerakid

Active Member
I was thinking of getting an SMSL SA-50 amplifier with some of my Christmas money, but can it be bridged? I want to use it for testing speakers I get from the thrift, and I also want to use it for a small subwoofer in my house.
 
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Dunno for sure...but many chip amps can't be even if you had a bridging adapter (because they are not common ground and or are BTL output).

Without digging in my opinion is the odds are against it.
 
whoaru99 said:
Dunno for sure...but many chip amps can't be even if you had a bridging adapter (because they are not common ground and or are BTL output).

Without digging in my opinion is the odds are against it.
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Thanks! But is there any way I can at least use a small subwoofer in my house so it's getting 50-100 watts? I don't think I need the 100 watts, but I don't want to underpower the sub. Also, have ANY idea of the required speaker impedance? It doesn't say anywhere on the back.
 
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Most any amp can be used for powering a sub, although something with a low pass filter is better. Using just one channel of something else you may have in the back room is generally fine.

Without knowing the sub details it's hard to make any better recommendation.

As well, bear in mind many chip amps are rated @ 4 ohms and 10% distortion. Into more common 8 ohm loads and the "clean" output is probably 1/2 to 1/3 of what's usually printed in the description/title.
 
Not sure about this one but most cannot be bridged without frying the chip. I wouldn't use it for driving a sub as most of these things only put out half the wattage they claim. That 50 wpc figure is likely into 4ohms at 10% distortion. If you want a small versatile amp look for a used Parasound Zamp. They can be bridged and put out a real 30-45 wpc (75-90 mono) depending upon the version you find.
 
Even better would be one of the smaller Crown XLS DriveCore amps. They have built in crossover, can be used stereo or bridged mono. Lots of power in a relatively small and light package. Not nearly as small as what the OP listed, but still smaller and lighter than the typical vintage receiver....with a ton more power to boot in most cases.
 
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