100w Master Volume Amp with a Load

[mermer]

Hey all,

I recently picked up a Wizard MC1 100W EL34 and I’m trying to figure out the safest way to run it through a loadbox for silent recording.

I’m currently using a Fryette Power Load IR and the CLIP LED starts blinking when the master volume is at 2 on the lead channel. I’m plugging into the 16 ohm input which should give 200W RMS headroom so seeing the CLIP LED blinking at such a low master volume has me concerned.

I’m planning to get a Fryette PS-2A for running with a cab at home, and possibly a UA OX for additional flexibility. The OX has a maximum 150W RMS input which makes me nervous for a 100W amp that already clips a loadbox at master volume 2.

I don’t want to damage my amp, so I’d love to hear from anyone with firsthand experience running a 100W amp through either the PS-2A or OX. Specifically:

- Is the PS-2A’s 200W rating at 16 ohm genuinely safe for a hard driven 100W amp?
- Is the OX’s 150W rating too tight for a 100W amp?

Any experience from Wizard users especially welcome.

Thanks

 

[Alpha Stryke]

Thats not what that amps made for.

 

[Greazygeo]

I use my MC1 with a PS-2 everyday at home. No issues. Used a Hotplate for years as well, no issues.
Power Load should also work no issues. Never used one though.

 

[mermer]

Thats not what that amps made for.

Yes I agree. Maybe I should trade it with a 50w one but I would like to give a Power Station a try. With 16 ohm input 200W RMS sounds safe but still hearing any experience would be helpful.

 

[mermer]

I use my MC1 with a PS-2 everyday at home. No issues. Used a Hotplate for years as well, no issues.
Power Load should also work no issues. Never used one though.

According to Fryette, Power Load and Power Station has the same load but other functionalities.

How does it sound with PS2A?

 

[ners]

You play with the Aux Level switch yet?

 

[Greazygeo]

According to Fryette, Power Load and Power Station has the same load but other functionalities.

How does it sound with PS2A?

Yeah they shouldd be the same.

Sounds the same as without it, unless you turn it up enough to get the power section working or set the switches and knobs different. I don’t gig with it, we play kinda loud anyway.

 

[mermer]

You play with the Aux Level switch yet?

I am not connecting any aux in to the power load. Using the balanced out to connect the power load to the audio interface

 

[mermer]

Yeah they shouldd be the same.

Sounds the same as without it, unless you turn it up enough to get the power section working or set the switches and knobs different. I don’t gig with it, we play kinda loud anyway.

Can you get the master past 2-3? Is there a way to see the clipping in the power station like the led in the power load?

 

[Greazygeo]

Can you get the master past 2-3? Is there a way to see the clipping in the power station like the led in the power load?

I run my ‘69 100 watt Marshalls on 7 into it with no issues. It gets hot of course, but no issues. My Wizard is always on 2 to 2-1/2 no issues. That is my gig volume too.
There are no clip lights on the PS-2.

 

[mermer]

I run my ‘69 100 watt Marshalls on 7 into it with no issues. It gets hot of course, but no issues. My Wizard is always on 2 to 2-1/2 no issues. That is my gig volume too.
There are no clip lights on the PS-2.

That sounds great. You influenced me to buy a 2010s MC as well, many thanks for that. Killer amp. I am still curious how it compares to more recent MC's.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Hey all,

I recently picked up a Wizard MC1 100W EL34 and I’m trying to figure out the safest way to run it through a loadbox for silent recording.

I’m currently using a Fryette Power Load IR and the CLIP LED starts blinking when the master volume is at 2 on the lead channel. I’m plugging into the 16 ohm input which should give 200W RMS headroom so seeing the CLIP LED blinking at such a low master volume has me concerned.

I’m planning to get a Fryette PS-2A for running with a cab at home, and possibly a UA OX for additional flexibility. The OX has a maximum 150W RMS input which makes me nervous for a 100W amp that already clips a loadbox at master volume 2.

I don’t want to damage my amp, so I’d love to hear from anyone with firsthand experience running a 100W amp through either the PS-2A or OX. Specifically:

- Is the PS-2A’s 200W rating at 16 ohm genuinely safe for a hard driven 100W amp?
- Is the OX’s 150W rating too tight for a 100W amp?

Any experience from Wizard users especially welcome.

Thanks

I do not care for the way the Ox sounds honestly but many people love them. I really dig my Rivera Rock Crusher built into my amp, I have no experience w stand alone crusher units though. Somewhere Rivera states a 100w tube amp hits around 175w at its peak.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I am not connecting any aux in to the power load. Using the balanced out to connect the power load to the audio interface

Found this on another forum:

Looks like the Aux switch does have an effect when there's nothing plugged into the line input.

 

[cardinal]

If you're really concerned, buy two at 16 ohms and plug them both into the amp (total 8 ohm load on the amp). That gives you double the power handling since you have two loads (just the same as adding more speakers give more power handling).