Restrict power of speakers

[Eldario]

As 801 has usb in with Sabre dac that I was sending audio to

I am protecting hearing of a person operating the knobs not speakers .

Thank you for replies . Very informative

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

What’s the value of in-line fuse I should get ?
Amplifier set to 4ohms

The relevant formula is P = I^2R, so if you want to limit the power to W watts and your speakers have a nominal impedance of R ohms get a fuse with

SQRT(W/R) amps rating.

So, if your speakers are 4 ohms and you want it to top out at 36 watts, get a 3 amp fuse. And you probably want to get a slow blow fuse.

I honestly don't know what the amplifier setting does. Really old stuff had different taps for the output transformer, but we're talking 60s gear for that. Most of my experience is with professional amps that will happily drive 2 ohm loads all day without complaint, and I've never seen an "output impedance" selector on those.

What do these switches actually do, and can you really hear the difference? Sounds like one of those tweaky audiophile things like bi-wiring or cable risers.

 

[popej]

What do these switches actually do, and can you really hear the difference?

No, you can't
Impedance switches change rail voltages for power amps. This way you can adapt power draw and heating for 4 and 8 Ohm speakers. Switching to lower impedance means lower voltage and with the same speakers, lower output power.

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

No, you can't
Impedance switches change rail voltages for power amps. This way you can adapt power draw and heating for 4 and 8 Ohm speakers. Switching to lower impedance means lower voltage and with the same speakers, lower output power.

Thanks. So, my understanding is that it doesn't actually change the output impedance of the amp, just the rail voltage.

The Class G & H amps I'm familiar with change rail voltage automagically, although it's done based on the input signal rather than just the load impedance. No switch needed.

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

Anything you put in the path will have an impact on sound quality.

Exactly. That's why you need 6 AWG oxygen-free cables with gold plated connectors, and the little stands to raise the wires off the floor. Or course, only people with refined tastes and excellent hearing will be able to hear the difference, so don't listen to the people who tell you otherwise. Philistines, every one of them. (c:

 

[john61ct]

I am protecting hearing of a person operating the knobs not speakers

Well both go hand in hand, IMO human reflexes are sufficient, very short bursts in this context are unlikely to cause actual damage, compared to extended times of exposure.

That's why you need 6 AWG oxygen-free cables with gold plated connectors, and the little stands to raise the wires off the floor

Sorry, my intent was electronics, capacitors, random fuses not what you're talking about.

I would LOVE to have the knowledge required to just use simple fuses or breakers without impacting the SQ.

But since OP has exactly the one preamp DESIGNED to do exactly this function

(I haven't come across any others so far)

the problem is already solved in this case.

 

[Eldario]

I found the slider in wiim ultra for %of max volume out
Problem solved
Thank you

If I inserted a 3 amp fuse in speaker wire would it make an audible difference ?

 

[OldHvyMec]

I believe you are over-thinking it.

Big time. A fuse will not work. What will work, is to not get so loaded. It's called self-control. I'm so glad I never took up drinking, and when I did from time to time, I always kept to my own personal rules. I had taxi phone numbers in my phone and at home, a preset bunch of songs ready to go. You can put a simple passive preamp for 29-49.00 usd.

Practice good behavior, not poor judgment. It sounds like you got a beef with the neighbors that needs to be worked out anyway. Buy a house, and that will do it. Take your booze money and apply it towards your house money, ay?

Funny how people spend their whole lives wasting money on booze, beer, wine, gambling, and drugs. You spend your money on fast women at the very least. LOL
BTW, I've been with the same lady for 52 years now. Just keep it between the curbs.

Best of luck, though.

Regards

 

[Eldario]

This is a fun forum.

 

[john61ct]

You're welcome!

Lucky thing you already owned the one preamp with that feature built in, right??

This is a fun forum.

small price to pay for a whole bunch of consultants offering their time for free.

I personally would have died many decades ago if I hadn't gotten clean, fortunately long before I was responsible for young children.

to paraphrase W.C. Fields: "I spent half my money on wild women. The other half I wasted."

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

If I inserted a 3 amp fuse in speaker wire would it make an audible difference ?

Yes, definitely.

If you turn it up loud enough that the fuse blows, it willl make a very obvious audible difference.

Other than that, highly unlikely.

 

[Eldario]

Audio Sarcasm Review forum
You guys are great
Thank you

 

[TurtlePaul]

If you are using USB, obviously it will be much harder for your toddler to set the Windows volume than the rotary knob on the amp, so set the windows volume down. I use a MiniDSP 2x4 HD for volume control. My kids can't mess with that.

 

[Eldario]

Let me ask you another question because it bothers me

DM80s are well more capable receiving power from AS 801 and at my low listening levels.
I will be trying to play with EQ. Is it possible to strain, damage or destroy speakers if I EQ them up? I recall video by Erin that one should EQ down do not to damage speakers.

I’m a newb so this question may have been worded poorly

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

Let me ask you another question because it bothers me

DM80s are well more capable receiving power from AS 801 and at my low listening levels.
I will be trying to play with EQ. Is it possible to strain, damage or destroy speakers if I EQ them up? I recall video by Erin that one should EQ down do not to damage speakers.

I’m a newb so this question may have been worded poorly

Usually, EQ just makes it sound bad rather than blowing things up. That said, if you boost a frequency range by 3db, that's twice the power. 6db is four times the power, etc.

Some EQs let you go to +15 db, which is 32 times the power. And if you boost 20 or 25hz by 15db, you probably won't hear it since you're speakers probably won't reproduce frequencies that low. But you could do some real damage by making the voice coil overheat.

So, cutting rather than boosting is the safer alternative.

 

[john61ct]

If you are using USB, obviously it will be much harder for your toddler to set the Windows volume

Sorry what has Windows to do (you mean Microsoft? as in a PC?) with USB?

The USB input to the amp is from the Wiim Ultra

which the OP already stated, its "% Volume Max" limit solves their problem

even with its big knob in front