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Driving a MC 275 Mk V too hard?

R

robertnjax

Active Member
Hello:

I am using a MC 275 Mk V / C2200 system driving a pair of Klipschorns. My question is: Will I cause damage to the amp or wear out the tubes prematurely by playing the amp at loud sound levels. Sometimes the meters, on the C2200, are reading -20 db. I have no idea how many watts are being delivered, but there is no distortion or clipping.:scratch2: Most of the time I play the system at lower levels, BUT, every now and then I turn up the volume pretty loud.:D

Thanks for any advice,
Robert
 
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With 75McW at your disposal and 105db efficiency with the Khorns you have nothing to worry about IMO. My guess is that you are still below 1W most of the time.

Alberto
 
When the meters on the C2200 read 'O' you are at 75 watts out on the MC275. This was designed to be accurate with the C2200/MC275 combo. Again, balanced cables are best for this to be most accurate.

thanks,
Ron-C
 
I am using the C2200 and MC275 MkV with a brand new (just installed them today) pair of PMC EB1i speakers. They are 4 ohm, 89dB rated. I have been cranking the speakers for about 10 hours now (PMC says 15 hours minimum breakin time). My C2200 meters have been bouncing between -10dB and 0 all day, and everything is cruising right along with no problems. The PMC EB1i's are playing fairly loud, and sound spectacular, but I am certain a more powerful amp will reveal improvements. Tomorrow, after I eat my Wheaties, I'm going to put the MC352 in place of the MC275 to hear the difference.

At -20dB the MC275 is napping. No worries.
 
robertnjax said:
Hello:

I am using a MC 275 Mk V / C2200 system driving a pair of Klipschorns. My question is: Will I cause damage to the amp or wear out the tubes prematurely by playing the amp at loud sound levels. Sometimes the meters, on the C2200, are reading -20 db. I have no idea how many watts are being delivered, but there is no distortion or clipping.:scratch2: Most of the time I play the system at lower levels, BUT, every now and then I turn up the volume pretty loud.:D

Thanks for any advice,
Robert
Click to expand...

I have never owned tubes, but it is my understanding that heat is what kills the tubes, not absolute volume which depends upon the efficiency of your speakers. I think it is safe to say a poor ventilated 275 in Arizona putting out 5 watts on average will kill its tubes long before a nice well ventilated Alaska owners 275 putting out 20 watts on average. Whether that is 3 years or 6 months I am not sure...

Like Forzaroma stated, with your K-horns I wouldnt worry about it, my maggies would be a different story...
 
Hi Everyone:

Thanks -- I appreciate the great advice!:thmbsp: Just trying to take good care of my sound system.

Robert.
 
The tube amps are pretty much designed to be hammered on. Tubes do this very well as long as the design is sound.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
I never got the MC352 hooked up to the new PMC EB1i speakers today like I planned (just wasn't in the mood to wrestle 105lbs today), so the MC275 is still helping break in the new speakers. The MC275 MkV has been running at about 85% full rated power for 14 hours so far today, and over 12 hours yesterday without any adverse effects. It doesn't seem to be putting off much more heat than when idle. Cranking all day at that power level is a clear indication of how well the MC275 is made, not to mention how great it sounds as an amp.
 
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