Why are my mosfet fuses blowing?


I have a Classe CA-200 Power Amplifier/200 watts per channel into 8 Ohms (side heat-sink version)which is driving a pair of Thiel CS2.3s with upgraded coaxial tweeter/midrange. Sound is very good. I listen at relatively high volumes and recently (over the last year) the amplifier is getting hot within 60 to 90 minutes of listening and the mosfet fuses (2AG 1/2 PT, 1/2 amp fast blow) have been blowing. Do I need a higher powered amplifier to listen at high volume? Should I look for a used CA-200 and use one to drive each speaker (700watts into 8 Ohms)? Thanks.
bcarr38

Showing 1 response by mrderrick

I drove my CS5i's with a CA400. I blew the Mosfet fuses once while listening at only moderate levels. After replacing the fuses I found that one side of the amp (channel) was running hotter than the other. It tuned out that the output devices needed to be re-biased. (yes, the bias can drift) It is rather simple to do. First you adjust the DC offset, then the output device bias average. (all of the output devices will not read the same, I think because Classe uses several different types together) All you need is a multi meter and a small "tweaker" screw driver.
I'm not certian of the internal layout of the CA200. The adjustment pots are located behind the Mosfet fuses on my CA400. You will also need to find out the bias level for the CA200. Ask this question over at the Audio Asylum in the "Amplifier" forum. That's were I was able to get alot of very good help.