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How to brdge my Rotel 6 channel amp for stereo?

Bassmantweed

Bassmantweed

Super Member
i have a rotel rb956ax 6 channel amp that according to the manual can be run in stereo

http://www.rotel.com/content/manuals_archived/rb956ax.pdf

if i look at page page 5 illustration 3
i take the left out from the channels
put the switches in the bridge position
hook the speaker wires up to all POSITVES??????

this just seems weird to me - any help would be appreciated?

also what is the benefit of running it bridged stereo vs. normal stereo illustration 2
 
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In true stereo mode you just use illustration 2.

If you want to run a bridged setup for stereo, then use illustration 3. It is correct.

Note the bridged polarity labels underneath the terminals. It tells you which red terminal is plus and minus to the speakers.

The benefit of bridged is much more power. What ever the normal rating is at 4 ohms, it will be double this at 8 ohms when bridged. Per the specs, it is 30wpc in normal mode, but will be 90wpc when in the bridged mode.
 
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Added a line to my original response.

In simple terms, bridged mode is sort of like putting two channels in series. It provides up to twice the voltage swing to the speakers.
 
Yes, possibly/theoretically.

Damping factor is cut in half, and what ever distortion is in each channel is added together.

Whether or not these provide an audible drawback is debatable, however.

Oh, and bridged amps usually don't like 4 ohm speakers because that is equivalent of running the amp with 2 ohm speakers in the unbridged mode.
 
Yes. The amp will work harder but it is rated to do so.

Damping factor is alleged to be the "control" the amp exerts over the speakers. But, here again, the real world implication is hotly contested.

I see you have a McIntosh amp. If it is a McIntosh amp with output transformers, it has low damping factor by relative standards. If you detect no deficiency in it's "control" over the speakers, then you have your answer about how relevant damping factor is.
 
this is an amp that will be running outdoor speakers at pretty low volumes. dont want to peeve the neighbors.

My thought was run it bridged to have more power to avoid clipping and potentially damaging the speakes but - maybe i would be better off running it at 30w per channel since it is a low volume system?
 
Maybe, depends on the speakers and the signal. Inefficient speakers may need the power? Big swings with lots of bass and transients, maybe bridged is better? Background Muzak with smaller swing from peak (loudness) to valley (quietness) and low bass signal, probably better off in 30 WPC stereo.
 
I have same amp and for what your doing 30w is plenty IMO and you already said low volumes anyway. this is 30 rotel watts not sony reciever watts.
 
Use the 30 WPC and don't bridge unless necessary

chadnliz said:
I have same amp and for what your doing 30w is plenty IMO and you already said low volumes anyway. this is 30 rotel watts not sony reciever watts.
Click to expand...

+ 1 to this. I sold Rotel product for years and cut my teeth on the 9 series product.

The 30 watts should be more then adequate to drive a pair of outdoor speakers.

IMHO the bridging causes more downsides then upside from a sound quality perspective especially with speakers that had akward impedance plots.

8 ohms nominal Ha.

Having said that I sold many 956 in bridged configuration which gives 3 x 90 Watts ( IIRC ) for driving centre channel and rear speakers in an HT configuration when a client had an exisiting power amp for their main speakers. It worked well with sympathetic speakers at realistic volume level.

I found them to be very reliable and to this end I was in a shop the other day where a customer had returned one for service. It was nine years old and had shorted out due to being placed in a ceiling. Apparantly rats had got to it and done their business through the vented top which caused it short out.

We also sold lots of them in restaurants and cafe's to drive 3 pairs of speakers. Most exposed to steam, fumes, heat yet they still chug away.

A great versatile little pwr amp. Just use it within it limits.
 
Thanks for the input i have chosen to go the 30 watt route. If i run out of steam with 30 watts my I would prob get a ticket for disturbing the peace anyway.

:-)
 
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