First, the meters are logarithmic, not linear; so 1/2 way between two marked points is not a value arrived at by taking the linear mid value. In other words, 1/2 way between '40' and '400' is not 220, rather it works out to about 125. There are a couple sites that can explain how to make the calculation or look it up in a math text. Second, clipping refers to distortion of the waveform from hitting the rails. I believe that the amplifiers determine clipping by comparing the 'input' waveform to the 'output' waveform and turning on a light when clipping occurs, simultaneously reducing gain - in other words, you cannot really clip, for other than a few milliseconds, with a mac amp. However, you can fry speakers with a mac amp by simply providing too much current to the speaker. In short, if you are worried about damaging your speakers, find out from the manufacturer the maximum wattage your speaker can handle, then keep your gain set so you don't exceed that wattage, as properly read from the meter. Trying to base your analysis on the impedance of your speakers vs the taps on the amp is not fruitful because the impedance spec'd for your speakers is nominal - no speaker has the same impedance over the frequency range of interest. So the method I have suggested is general. There are a host of other issues that I am sure other responders will mention - including, but not limited to, the accuracy of the meter reading at any one point, and the duration of the signal at a given wattage.
Understanding Mcintosh Meters?
This is probably a stupid question, or atleast one I should be able to answer myself, being that I did graduate with a degree in computer engineering, but I recently got a mcintosh ma6450, and was wondering how I make sense of the meters. I understand what they measure, and what it means, but how do i know when I am close to clipping.
Let me explain further. the amp is rated 100wpc, in to 4 ohms and the meters read from .01 to 100 watts with the final mark being 200 watts. But what if my speakers are 8ohms? I know that means my amp produces about 50 watts in to 8ohms, but does that mean that I can only take the meters about 1/2 way before I will clip, or do I go by the decibels, meaning 0db is really the max before clipping, only instead of producing 100wpc (0db corresponds to 100w watts on the meters), the amp is only producing ~50wpc since the speakers are 8ohms.
Hope I explained my question well enough. Thanks for your help.
Let me explain further. the amp is rated 100wpc, in to 4 ohms and the meters read from .01 to 100 watts with the final mark being 200 watts. But what if my speakers are 8ohms? I know that means my amp produces about 50 watts in to 8ohms, but does that mean that I can only take the meters about 1/2 way before I will clip, or do I go by the decibels, meaning 0db is really the max before clipping, only instead of producing 100wpc (0db corresponds to 100w watts on the meters), the amp is only producing ~50wpc since the speakers are 8ohms.
Hope I explained my question well enough. Thanks for your help.
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- 17 posts total
- 17 posts total