ELG Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I would like to know if using an amp head without connecting it to a speaker is safe or can damage the amp? I plan to use only the line out direct to a di box. The head I am talking about is the acoustic image Clarus. Thank you in advance for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I'm no exxpert but i was always told with solid state or class D it was ok to do that with master volume completely OFF. You can't do it with a valve power stage but i have no idea why that would be different. Best to wait until one of the BC experts comes along with definitive answer. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 The manual is here: https://www.acousticimg.com/#/support/manuals It gives the definitive answer. (Spoiler: it's ok to operate without a speaker load.) 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 (edited) I've never really understood why more folk don't use their D class amps, in "post-pre" DI mode, out directly into the FOH. Our amps generally have a pre-amp we really like which is why we bought the thing in the first place! Saves the faff of getting a separate pre-amp with: the 'right sound', decent EQ and DI out. And let's face it a D class head in a gig bag ain't exactly bulky. Some, like the TC RH750, also have built in tuner, dirt and comp Edited January 31, 2019 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELG Posted January 31, 2019 Author Share Posted January 31, 2019 Thank you guys, I just read in the AI clarus manual is ok to use it without a speaker but advice to turn the master to 0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 8 hours ago, dmccombe7 said: I'm no exxpert but i was always told with solid state or class D it was ok to do that with master volume completely OFF. You can't do it with a valve power stage but i have no idea why that would be different. Best to wait until one of the BC experts comes along with definitive answer. Dave A SS amp can stand an open circuit at the output but a valve amp has to see a load equivalent to the minimum Ohmage of the amp head. If not, the output transformer can fry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 I'd contact the manufacturer or have a look on their website. Sometimes you can download the brochure that comes with the amp. My Ampeg PF50t is all valve and you can plug it in for recording direct to the desk - it sounds really good like that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 4 hours ago, NikNik said: A SS amp can stand an open circuit at the output but a valve amp has to see a load equivalent to the minimum Ohmage of the amp head. If not, the output transformer can fry. Thanks for that. Its been one of those things i kept meaning to look up. I use my GK MB200 head as a pre-amp direct to FOH when using with my JamMan pedal loaded with sampled sounds. I did check the manual that this was ok. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 (edited) I keep a trace elf in my gig case. Great as a back up amp AND a DI if needed, and sending to a powered speaker via xlr. No speaker connection needed. Edited February 1, 2019 by la bam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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