Mc501 and Powerguard--Have you activated it??


Today I was litening to a live Grateful Dead show from the early '90's--"Without a Net". I am using a pair of Mc501's with a c220 pre and a pair of JM Lab Alto Utopias. After 25 minutes of driving pretty hard and really loud(volume level 67 on pre), the left amp's Powerguard was activated.
When I got up and felt the amps--WOW!! They were HOT,HOT,Smokin' HOT! To the point that I could not touch them for more than about 2 seconds.
The good thing is that they were doing their job by shutting down, however I NEVER heard the JM Utopias sound as though the amp was clipping. They never sounded strained.
I was wondering if anyone else with Mc501 amps had similar Powerguard experiences. How hard do you drive till they shut down?
BTW: the amp "came back" after about 2 minutes.
cajunpepe

Showing 1 response by dev

Same speakers as you mentioned with a Mac 500 tube pre along with 501's. I was at a friend's home during the summer, an all day event and the speakers were at pretty well concert level and no issues what so ever and when I actually touched the top of the 501's they were just warm. I actually owned this specific pair prior and played them very hard at times with Eggleston Andra's and never had any issues you are describing.

Something is up, I would check your connections first assuring that you do have the right tabs hooked-up as per your speaker load, also check to insure everything is secured and not touching anything.

Do you have these into some type of power conditioner, both mine and my friends plugged directly into designated lines direct into the wall.

By the way my friend now has moved-up the line to the Nova's and I was over at his place a week ago having a listen, no issues what so ever and we were cranking the system. They are set-up in a very large open concept and the main floor area of aprox. 3,000 sq. ft. just to give you an idea.