Running receiver with no load - safe?

2932 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by grn1969c10, Oct 24, 2008

grn1969c10

Discussion Starter · Oct 24, 2008

So far, I have connected the REW output directly to the sub or used the multichannel input for the sub on the back of the receiver. Both of these methods bypass the crossover used by the receiver. Someone suggested in another thread that the REW input could be connected to an AUX IN on the receiver and the mains disconnected to allow the sub to be isolated for measurement with the crossover rolloff.

I was under the impression that running a stereo amp with no load could possibly damage the unit! Is it safe to crank it up with no front speakers? My tx-ds575 is old, but I don't want to bury it yet by doing anything dumb.

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Anthony

· #2 · Oct 24, 2008

Amps are only strained when they have a load. An open condition is like an infinite resistor to them. All voltage, no current.

I don't even have a center channel hooked up to the fifth channel in my amp, it's open all the time. And many people like me use a receiver as a preamp and just don't use the amplifier channels on it. They are still fine. So no worries there.

The method you described is perfect for testing the effects of the crossover on the sub. You can make sure the point and the slope are what you thought they were (and later confirm that the mix with the mains is proper as well by testing the whole system).

Good luck and welcome to the Shack.

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