Any danger running just one side of a stereo power amp?

[mctallica1]

I have a VHT 2/50/2 and may end up keeping just my Voodoo cab. It is a mono/single input cab.

Is there any danger using just one side of the power amp as long as I keep the other on stand by?

I would think there isn't, but want to make sure before i do it.

Hmmm, for that matter is there any danger running only one side of a stereo preamp as well?

Thanks.
T

 

[Anonymous]

No. no problem at all just running only one channel of the VHT 2/50/2. I have one and do it all the time as I only use one side to power post amp efx in my rig. You will not damage the amp in any way. I sometimes use the other channel and it works fine.

Steve

 

[Juggernaut]

even if he doesnt have a load?



BTW Tony, Preamp is fine, you can run it unhooked all you want

 

[mctallica1]

even if he doesnt have a load?



BTW Tony, Preamp is fine, you can run it unhooked all you want

It is my understanding that if the amp is on standby, you do not need a load....but I am no tech, that is why I am asking the question.

 

[Juggernaut]

yea thats what I always thought too, but now I'm second guessing myself

 

[Rayneman]

When I had a Mesa 2:50, it only had a standby for the entire unit, and the Mesa manual said it was perefectly fine to run only one side as long as the volume was zero. Therefore, it would make sense that if your VHT had a separate standy for each channel, it would be even, uh, more ok!

Of course a quick email to VHT would ease your mind completely.

 

[mctallica1]

Of course a quick email to VHT would ease your mind completely.

Well, it would have made too much sense to do that first

 

[mctallica1]

Emailed VHT with the question. Got this reply back (very quickly I might add!

Hi Tony,



You are correct, leave the unused channel on standby and you’ll be ok.



Be sure to match the impedance of the cab with the switch on the back of the 2502 for proper operation.



If you operate the unused channel without a load/cab it could cause damage to the power amp.



Let us know if you have any questions, thanks!



Best Regards,



Marcus Schefer

Sales and Marketing Director

 

[Anonymous]

even if he doesnt have a load?



BTW Tony, Preamp is fine, you can run it unhooked all you want

You do not need a load if the power amp channel is on standby.

And frankly, I've mistakenly turned the channel I wasn't using on for minutes at a time and it did no damage. That channel, of course, has no input signal connected to it as well as not having a cabinet load. No problem. Maybe I was just lucky though...

Steve

 

[noseminer]

You might want to switch it up from time to time to get even wear on teh tubes.

 

[mctallica1]

You mean that it only has on "ON" switch?

My Marshall 100/100 EL-34 poweramp has 2 completely individual power amps in one unit. Each has its own power switch, etc.

1 on/off switch


2 standby switches

 

[mctallica1]

You might want to switch it up from time to time to get even wear on teh tubes.

Yeah, that is pretty much what I was thinking