Preamp/Amp impedance missmatch?


I live at the end of a very long rural electric coop line. We have several power outages a week. My main system is Dunlavy V speakers, 2 Plinius SA-100 amps (as monoblocks), Audiomeca transport, Dodson Audio DAC with Audio Tekne interconnects and speaker wire. I use MIT power conditioning.

I owned a Kora Eclipes preamp and loved the sound in my system, but whenever the power was interupted while the preamp was operating, the internal fuses in the Plinius amps blew. After months of replacing fuses (a real pain), I switched to an Alioa preamp. This solved the fuse problem, but I've never been really happy with the sound.

Now I'm considering returning to the Kora Eclipse (newer version). Has anybody got any recommendations as to how to keep the fused from blowing? Could I have an impeadance missmatch? (the plinius is 47 ohm) Are there other preamps that will work better?
eadese

Showing 1 response by bob_bundus

Eadese I also had problems blowing power amp fuses, due to AC power interruption @the preamp. My situation was a bit different (a weighty upgrade AC cord would occassionally become disconnected) and the resulting turn-off transient on the audio output lines was enough to DC-clip the power amp resulting in blown rail fuses. Although your situation occurs somewhat differently, the result is the same. One question that would be helpful to know: do the PA fuses blow upon preamp power-down or power-up? You can find that out via some simple failure-simulation testing.
If the failures occur upon preamp power-up, then one way around this is to delay the amplifier's turn-on until the preamp output initially settles. I have heard of AC conditioner that has internal on-delays to the PA power receptacle (Panamax perhaps? - or others?) but then you're dealing with possible sonic degradation if the conditioner constrains dynamics (many reportedly do) so you'd have to chose carefully. Or you could build an accessory box containing a heavy-current relay & a short-delay timer, quality heavy gauge AC cord, quality internal wiring, & perhaps an FIM AC outlet, or other of reasonably good quality. The box would again delay energizing the amp until the preamp settles.
Another possibility which you've already explored would be a different preamp that doesn't behave as the Kora does. Perhaps the newer model works better? Or you might consult with the manufacturer to determine if they have a fix for this bug? One brand with which I have personal experience is Accuphase. This preamp contains an internal muting relay circuit that, upon power-up, doesn't connect the audio output sections to the panel jacks until after an internal time-delay executes, thus the preamp has settled before connection is made to the PA. Upon power-down the muting engages immediately, again isolating the output jacks from internal circuitry. I can turn this preamp on or off anytime without fear of any power amp consequences.