• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

MC-501 Power Consumption

R

rpcoins

Active Member
I have been looking, but cannot seem to find what kind of electrical load my 501s are drawing when not putting out much current to my speakers.

I understand when listening at higher levels there is more consumption, but if you are barely moving the needles are you still drawing 500 watts each?
 
Register to hide this ad
rpcoins said:
I have been looking, but cannot seem to find what kind of electrical load my 501s are drawing when not putting out much current to my speakers.

I understand when listening at higher levels there is more consumption, but if you are barely moving the needles are you still drawing 500 watts each?
Click to expand...
The short answer is no you are not using 500 watts at all times. The technical experts will be chiming in soon, but at idle and low volume you are using much less than 500 watts.
 
rpcoins said:
I have been looking, but cannot seem to find what kind of electrical load my 501s are drawing when not putting out much current to my speakers.

I understand when listening at higher levels there is more consumption, but if you are barely moving the needles are you still drawing 500 watts each?
Click to expand...

I actually put a kill-a-watt and measured 30W each when on and with no music playing. This feels a bit low, but the simple test (i.e. feeling the heat coming out of them with my hands when at idle) does not contradict that number (i.e. one MC501 does not seem emanate as much heat as, say, a 60W light bulb.)

Perhaps, RonC an confirm the 30W at idle (not on Standby).

Alberto
 
The short answer is that P=VI, and V doesn't change much. When you adjust the volume knob, you are essentially adjusting the current.

These tubes & transistors are not the most efficient critters out there (they range from 10%-20% efficient), which means they will dissipate most of their energy in the form of heat. So, when they are sitting idle, most of their energy is wasted to heat dissipation. Moral of the story, when powering your amps & speakers, crank em'. :music:
 
30 watts at idle sounds about right. With LED lighting there is not much to power on with no signal. The output stage uses low bias as the quad differential design needs very little to maintain low distortion. The low heat also assures long life, probably longer than most of us!

Thanks,
Ron-c
 
Here is the power requirements from the specs on the 501.

Power consumption in the form of the voltage and current drain.


POWER REQUIREMENTS

120V 50/60Hz, 6.6A

Most people put their 501's on dedicated 20 amp circuits.

You won't use 500 watts of power output at lower volumes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom