Do you run your M-x5 amp on Class A all the time?

[Frank Sol]

I do... I run a pair of Klipsch KG4s with my M-45/C-80

You think running class A shortens the life of the amp?

 

[avionic]

As long as you give the amp plenty of breathing room.You should be fine. ie Don't stack ANYTHING on top of the amp.

 

[Frank Sol]

Don't stack ANYTHING on top of the amp.

:thmbsp:


It is tempting to stack my yammie system... They look pretty together Along with the m45/c80 I have the T-85 I believe the C-80 will get an upgrade soon :scratch2: <wink>

 

[Punker X]

To answer the question. Yes running class A will shorten its life span. If it sounds better in class A and you want to run it that way. Yes give it plenty of air to keep it as cool as possible.

 

[whoaru99]

I usually turn on the Class A only when playing around in attempt to do some "critical listening". For routine, everyday use I leave it off.

Each of my Yamaha amps has/had its own shelf with at least a couple inches on each side of the amp and minimum of 6 to 8 inches of unobstructed space above it, no back and no front on the rack/shelves. Actually, all my amps are treated in similar fashion except my pro audio amps that all have back to front (QSC) or front to back (Crown) forced air cooling.

 

[SoCal Sam]

I would add fan cooling if you are concerned with the heat. I can't recall if the M45 has a switched outlet.

 

[avionic]

Been running my M-45 for 25+ years in class A. In 25 years I've just adjusted the bias once-maybe.Probably should think about recapping it.Shorten the life, maybe a little..Damn it probably won't make the 40 year mark. M-45 's don't run that hot in class A.Its runs warmer than class AB..:yes:

 

[MOPAR3]

I hardly ever use the class A on the m65. It runs hot and that makes me nervous. It doesn't even get warm in normal A/b mode and that seems best.

 

[brutal]

I ran a pair of bridged M-80's in Auto-A for years, stuffed in a tight audio rack, stacked on top of each other with only a pre-amp between them and ran them hard in the HT rig driving big JBL's.

They're still fine although I've since repaired the DSBCG (dreaded sony bond cap glue) and they now sit in open racks in the mancave.

 

[tubed]

"If you cant stand the heat stay out of the kitchen"...or "at what temperature does popcorn pop"

 

[the-real-mandak]

IIRC Yamaha recommend only to run the amp in class A for critical listening, it will also lower you're electricity bill.

 

[YAMAHAULIC]

My M-80 has been a sub amp so no need for class A. But I have an A 1020 that I believe is stuck in class A operation due to faulty switch. It runs damn hot and I keep an eye on it when its on (thermometer sits ontop most my amps). I also keep my CA-1010 in class A mode. Both these intergraded amps are seldome used and if I hit one watt output I am am really Krankin on it.

 

[whoaru99]

Both these intergraded amps are seldome used and if I hit one watt output I am am really Krankin on it.

OK, but the thing about Class A is that the transistors dissipate much higher power even if the volume is at zero setting. That's why amps run hotter in Class A...the transistors are essentially turned on to max all the time.

 

[Frank Sol]

*Crappy Camera* I should buy a new 'cheap' digital camera :scratch2:


Pics w/flash & without flash of the Yammie system

1) T-85
2) C-80
3) M-45 (running Class A)

Associated Eq... Denon 2200 Uni-Player, Modified Dual CS-521 W/AT15Xe, modified C-3 Yaqin tube buffer w/6SN7EH & Terk AM Advantage Antenna