schiit vidar in btl mode


Has anyone used a Vidar in BTL mode (400W at 8 ohms) ?

Documentation limits its use to speakers only 8 ohms (and above I guess). However, since the impedance of even an 8 ohm speaker can WILDLY vary and go even down to 2 or 1 ohms in extreme cases, does this cause any damage to the amp if used continuously ? The amp is supposed to have thermal and overcurrent shutdown so I presume it would not be damaged but has anyone ACTUALLY used it extensively in this mode to write about their experience ?

The idea is for about $1500 (two Vidars), one can get a 2 x 400 W amplifier. It is an incredibly sweet deal.

128x128cakyol

Read through the FAQ's on the Vidar website.  Notice what they say about using a single amp into a 2 ohm speaker.  You can apply those same comments to a pair of bridged units, except now they apply to a 4 ohm speaker.

Tyrs are double the cost.

Yes! And its triple the amp compared to a Vidar. Example: 55 lbs. 12 lb choke. 160,000uf filter capacitance. 24 150W Toshiba output devices. 7 internal power supply rails, including HV boost rails that uses unique discrete CFP regulators. Sounds like overkill? It is. Tyr is our most insane amplifier ever, designed for driving difficult speakers without breaking a sweat.

 

Mike

When manufacturers talk about 4 ohms and 8 ohms, they are talking about a nominal number. I think you can say that the amp is OK with driving a normal loudspeaker if rated at 8 ohms. However there might be exceptions. A bridged amp is not going to be as robust as an amp comfortable with 4 ohm or less loads. YMMV.