Is it safe to use an 8 Ohm cab with a 16 Ohm output on amp?

[conanthewarrior]

Hi everyone, I had a problem with my HT5M where the volume was cutting out after a few minutes of use and was given advice on the forum.

I tried everything I could think of, then tonight I thought why not try a different output at the back of the amp?

The speaker cable was plugged into the correct 8 Ohm output while the issue was happening, but when I tried plugging it into the 16 Ohm output it works for ages, and the volume problem doesn't happen.

I have heard about amp and cab mismatching, so wondered if it is safe to use the 16 Ohm output with the 8 Ohm cab, or could it damage my amp?

 

[rushcentrale]

There's people who say a 1 step ohms mismatch either way is fine. There are some that say going down a step is OK but not the reverse and then there's those that say the opposite. In my experience, it depends on the amp, but I've never mismatched for long periods of time.

But now you have troubleshooted the problem with your amp and narrowed it down to the 8 ohm speaker out of your amp.

 

[shar-vell Dan]

Rule # 1 : Correctly match impedance for optimum performance.
Rule # 2 : Don't forget Rule # 1.

 

[LP Freak]

16ohm amp into 8ohm cabinet is not advised. Cabinet should match the amp or be higher to be safe. Have you tried cleaning the jack with contact cleaner?

 

[GuitarBilly]

Sounds like a problem with either the wiring of the 8ohm.output jack or the 8ohm tap of the output transformer. Take your amp to a tech and have it looked at.

 

[dave74]

No.
Doing so will result in the amp running hotter than intended.

 

[Exo-metal]

No never

 

[PatF]

For a 100 watter with 2 tubes pulled it is ok.

 

[Exo-metal]

Don't confuse the poor man...