Common ground amps [Archive]

leroyjr1

01-03-2009, 11:15 AM

Does anyone know if Rotel amps are common ground? Need to know how they'll work with SDA's?

Rotel

RB-1092 2 channel
RB-1080 2 channel
RMB-1075 5 channel
RMB-1095 5 channel

Thanks

dorokusai

01-03-2009, 11:19 AM

Got a multimeter? Super easy to figure that out.

leroyjr1

01-03-2009, 11:24 AM

Got a multimeter? Super easy to figure that out.

I'm listening, keep going.

strider

01-03-2009, 11:40 AM

Doro will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK...

Set the meter to check resistance, amp off, unplugged if it makes you feel more comfortable. Take off shoes and any metal jewelry.

Set the probes on each of the negative binding posts, if it's open you'll get no reading (reads - - - - on my meter) and the amps non-common ground. If you get zero or close then the amp ground is common.

ShinAce

01-03-2009, 01:56 PM

Yep, check for resistance between the negative terminals. Zero resistance is common ground.

Another way without a meter is to look at the bridging options. If the amp is bridgeable and you need to use the red terminals for the single speaker, it's common ground.

leroyjr1

01-03-2009, 02:42 PM

Thanks ShinAce & strider

leroyjr1

01-03-2009, 02:43 PM

Doro will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK...

Set the meter to check resistance, amp off, unplugged if it makes you feel more comfortable. Take off shoes and any metal jewelry.

Set the probes on each of the negative binding posts, if it's open you'll get no reading (reads - - - - on my meter) and the amps non-common ground. If you get zero or close then the amp ground is common.

Will it be the same with my 5 channel amp as well?

disneyjoe7

01-03-2009, 03:02 PM

Yep, check for resistance between the negative terminals. Zero resistance is common ground.

Another way without a meter is to look at the bridging options. If the amp is bridgeable and you need to use the red terminals for the single speaker, it's common ground.

I add a little to this. Now if you use 2 amps in this fashion (bridged) it's acts and is non common ground.

Ok thats clear as mud. :(

strider

01-03-2009, 03:41 PM

Will it be the same with my 5 channel amp as well?

Should be.

leroyjr1

01-22-2009, 03:42 AM

Just an update. I emailed Rotel asking if there amps was common ground and they just got back with me .

All amps are common ground except the new class d digital amps.

BlueFox

01-22-2009, 04:10 AM

Take off shoes and any metal jewelry.

Take off shoes? And do what, stand barefoot in a pan of water? If you are trying to reduce a path to gound you need to increase your resistence, not lower it.

george daniel

01-22-2009, 06:38 AM

Take off shoes? And do what, stand barefoot in a pan of water? If you are trying to reduce a path to gound you need to increase your resistence, not lower it.

LOL,, after you master this task,young Jedi,,,you will be asked to bias tubes with the power on.;)