2. amps-preamps
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Power consuption of an amplifier

Hi, friends!

Maybe you can help me to figure out the peak power consumption of my amp.

I have bought Micromega M-150 from USA, but I live in Europe now. The amp's voltage is 120v, but I have 230v in socket here. So, I'm going to buy a step-down coverter 230v to 120v. Each step-down converter is designed for some maximum load, 150W, 450W, 600W, 1500W etc. So I need to know how much power my amplifier consumes from a socket to choose a coverter.

The problem is that I found three different points of view:

1) The Micromega's manual says: 

Power consumption: Standby : 1W

2 channels -1/8 Pmax under 8 Ohms : 185W

The seller says this is the maximum and I should take converter with double reserve, let it be 450W

2) Hi-Fi News Lab Report says:

Power consumption (idle/rated o/p): 40W / 480W (3W, standby)

I was told in another audiophile forum that 480W is maximum. So we can take with reserve 600W converter.

3) On same forum another guy counted this way:

You should take the dynamic power for two channels and multiply it by two. It means like 300W*2*2=1200W. And as the dynamic power of this amp on 1Ohm is 690W you showd take at least a 1500W conerter.

So I'm confused... The converter I want (Krieger) is 1150W maximum available and costs too much with shipping.

Amp specs:

Power by channel: 150W for 8Ohms, 300W for 4Ohms (I have 4Ohms speakers)

Efficiency 95%

Two power supplies - one for each channel

I wrote to Micromega, but they were bought by another company three years ago and stopped support.

I hope someone here could help me with this problem.

128x128iad
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iad's avatar
iad OP
47 posts
 

I don't know, if the socket is 1800W it doesn't mean that the amplifier will take whole 1800W, right?

I'm looking into this model now:

https://www.bronson-energy.com/shop/bronson-ti-1000-620

It's German, silent, made including for music equipment, toroidal and looks nice, has good reviews from music lovers.

kingsleuy's avatar
kingsleuy
180 posts
 

I would suggest at least double your amp's rating.

If you can only afford double what your amp pulls.  Plug and play, fine. 

Then there is the "Audiophile" zero impedance power delivery.  Which leads to, till your wallet and bank account bleeds over kill. 

A 5kw stepdown transformer hardwired into the breaker box with 120V dedicated lines to your sound room, better.

I think the PS Audio power plant will accept 240 in and delivers 120 out.  If that is true, that would be the Best way.

 

iad's avatar
iad OP
47 posts
 

Oh yeah, this would be ultimate solution!

But I'll try to double rating, because my wallet is already bleedinglaugh

Remains to be seen what amount to double. 185, 480 or just get a monster transformer for 1500-5000W.

Taking into account all points of view, for now I think the best way to take a 1000W transformer because it will cover fully option 1, will be enough for option 2, and maybe suit for option 3 (cause I don't think I can listen to this amp so loud that it will need 1500W).

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