2. amps-preamps
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Power blackouts - problem for tube amp & speakers

We have a lot of power blackouts in our area. The power goes and it takes 30 seconds for the generator to take over. Could it damage a tube amp + speakers (plop?) when power goes and comes again ? I am considering an tube amp ( coincident dynamo 34SE ) to replace a battery powered RWA amp. I have to relocate every 4 years in third world countries and would like to avoid any additional weight (a UPS). Greatly appreciated if you could recommend any other lightweight tube amp under 25lb and more than 10W Class A amps.
128x128zuio
brf
1,715 posts
 
Why not simply plug the amp into a surge protection device. You will need to reset the unit after a blackout, but at least it will take your amp out of the circuit when the power comes back on.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,662 posts
 
With most tube amps its no worries at all.
wolf_garcia
6,639 posts
 
I use Serge protection when confronted by churlish Italian waiters.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
How about a electromagnetic cutoff on the ac that is supplying power to your stereo system; loss of power the electromagnetic drops out and the contacts open and they can not close until manually reset by a person.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,662 posts
 
I would see this as a bigger problem with a solid state amp, simply because when the power comes back on, it will be possible to thump on account of the preamp.

Most tube amplifiers should take a power outage in stride with no worries- I know ours do!
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