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Amp ratings

To: triumphs@autox.team.net, spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Amp ratings
From: rtriplett@bjservices.com
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 08:39:36 -0600
To expand on what Randall said, amp ratings *should* be rated as true RMS (root
means square), or average power.  Most home amps are now rated rms power,
however many auto amplifier mfgs still rate their systems at "peak power"
levels, which gives a much higher rating, but is not indicative of the real
output power capability. You can use the formula, P=IE, where P=power,
I=current, E=voltage to figure how much current your amp will pull.  The
inpedance of the speakers to be used also must be taken into consideration, as
lower impedance spkrs pull more current, but that's another story.

                                       ?
                                      ,,,
                                     (o o)
     ----------------------------oOO--(_)--OOo----------------------------

                                Richard Triplett
                                62 TR3A Restored
                              78 Spitfire 1500 RIP
                       57 TR3A Former Parts Car, now RIP
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   If you are real lucky, you will wind up with about 35 watts of real power
          <g>  Amplifier ratings are one of the biggest lies around !

Seriously, you get only the power produced by the external amp, unless you
also have speakers connected to the radio's power outputs.  It takes a very
special amplifier design on both sides to be able to strap amplifiers
together for combined power output (and even then it can cause problems).

Randall

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of John A. Simmons
> Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 4:36 PM
> To: triumphs
> Subject: stereo question
>
>
>
> Question for the stereo experts.  If I have a 30 watt radio
> and I connect a
> 70 watt external amp to the radio's preamp outputs do I end
> up with 70 watts
> of power (because the radio's amp is bypassed) or do I end up
> with a 100
> watts of power (because the two amps are combined)?  Thanks
>
> John, '71 TR6
> Berkeley Springs, WV



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