2. amps-preamps
  3. 1038972509

Can any stereo amp be bridged to mono ?

I came across some professional audio pdf's when researching a Yamaha P2200 amp. They state this is easily done ( with their amp ) with a splitter transformer on the input with one side out of phase with the other going into each channel; then connecting the speaker to the 2 positives. Would this work with any amp ?
The pdf is at this address - check section 6 page 17
http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/english/amp/P2201E.pdf

Your expertise required, expected and I am eternally grateful
drguayo

Showing 2 responses by herman

herman
2,215 posts
 
Yes, it will.
herman
2,215 posts
 
Well, I beg to differ. Using the technique described (making one input out of phase) will work with any amplifier. The correct terminology is actually "invert polarity of one input", not "out of phase."

As for amps that are already bridged, I assume you mean balanced amps where the + and - speaker terminals are of opposite polarity. You are correct in the sense that nothing would be gained in terms of power, but it could be done.

The point about a common ground is valid. For instance, amps that are transformer coupled to the outputs and where the outputs float would need to have the - terminals tied together.

I am not suggesting that you should try this unless you know exactly what you are doing or that there will always be a benifit in doing so, but the answer to the original question is yes.
More to discover