Ashdown MK500

[Sonic_Groove]

Hi Folks,

A quick question for anyone with an Ashdown MK500 (or probably any 575w Ashdown).

Is it normal for the cooling fans to be on all the time? (come on at start-up & stay on)

Thanks

Brendan

[Platypus]

Yep, I used to own one and yes, it's an always fan

P


[quote name='Sonic_Groove' post='256084' date='Aug 6 2008, 11:12 AM']Hi Folks,

A quick question for anyone with an Ashdown MK500 (or probably any 575w Ashdown).

Is it normal for the cooling fans to be on all the time? (come on at start-up & stay on)

Thanks

Brendan[/quote]

[Machines]

I find on most amps the fans are always on, I believe this is to prevent it getting hot initially rather than cooling it down when it's already happened.

[Sonic_Groove]

[quote name='Platypus' post='256086' date='Aug 6 2008, 11:14 AM']Yep, I used to own one and yes, it's an always fan

P[/quote]

Wow thanks for the quick reply Platypus

I guess I will get use to it (The Fan noise)

Another quick question to any one that has owned one (I emailed Ashdown but didn't get an answer) is it OK to run the unit without a speaker connected -- for using pre-amp & DI recording?

Thanks again -- Great helpful site

Brendan

[Machines]

Solid state amps can safely be run with zero load, so yes .

[Sonic_Groove]

Thanks Guys

My concerns answered in less the half-an-hour. I will get you both a beer if I ever meet you.

Now I can go and spank my plank & see what this amp can do.

Brendan

[MB1]

MB1.
Yes! ...."Always on!"....Much better than "Frying Tonight!"..... im a big Fan!....I'm Sorry i'll get me Coat!

[Protium]

Not only that, but they are variable speed. The warmer the amp gets, the faster they go so if you notice that don't worry it's normal too.

[Sonic_Groove]

COOL

(Yep I'll get my coat too!!!)

Edited August 6, 2008 by Sonic_Groove

[Fraktal]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt that a 120mm fan? If you find the fan noise too annoying you can replace the internal fan with this one: [url="http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=12&lng=en"]http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=product...d=12&lng=en[/url]

Its only 19dB and moves a lot more air than conventional fans. Chances are you wont hear it at all once its installed inside.

[Machines]

The EB/MAG/ABM are 80mm fan, not sure on the MK500. It is a lot taller so I suppose it could have a 120mm, be aware that the computer fans will likely come with molex connectors, which the heads will not support, and thus manual wiring would be required.

[Fraktal]

Well, here you go the 80mm model: [url="http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=9&lng=en"]http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=product...id=9&lng=en[/url]

Even less noisy, rated at only 17dB top spinning speed.

Cutting the molex connector and soldering 2 cables is piss easy!

Surely you can find Noctua fans at overclockers.co.uk or any other similar specialized PC e-shop

Edited August 6, 2008 by Fraktal

[bassmansky]

cant hear the fans on mine must be the tinutus!

[Sonic_Groove]

To be fair they are not too loud, it's just that my recent amps have had fans that only switch when the amp is hot so I asked the question. As MB1 say's I would rather them be on all the time than put the circuits at risk.

They don't half have some suction as well don't they (I am sure there is a joke in there somewhere )


B

[Dubs]

[quote name='bassmansky' post='256485' date='Aug 6 2008, 05:09 PM']cant hear the fans on mine must be the tinutus![/quote]

+1

[bassmansky]

[quote name='Sonic_Groove' post='256666' date='Aug 6 2008, 07:42 PM']They don't half have some suction as well don't they (I am sure there is a joke in there somewhere )


[/quote]

[Platypus]

[quote name='Sonic_Groove' post='256126' date='Aug 6 2008, 11:48 AM']Thanks Guys

My concerns answered in less the half-an-hour. I will get you both a beer if I ever meet you.

Now I can go and spank my plank & see what this amp can do.

Brendan[/quote]

The MK500 can do a hell of a lot IMO. They were generally a bit ignored I feel, and they do take a little bit of time to get to grips with with settings. In hindsight I don't think I had the cab to do it justice and would loved to have matched it with some on the cabs I subsequently had. The EPI UL310 to name just one

P

[phatbass787]

[quote name='Platypus' post='256709' date='Aug 6 2008, 08:51 PM']The MK500 can do a hell of a lot IMO. They were generally a bit ignored I feel, and they do take a little bit of time to get to grips with with settings. In hindsight I don't think I had the cab to do it justice and would loved to have matched it with some on the cabs I subsequently had. The EPI UL310 to name just one

P[/quote]

+1

If you love the clean hi fi 12 band graphic sound then this amp is awesome, keep meaning to try out the Mk Combo that came out recently!