Paralleling Amps

[ILLINOX]

I know I can parallel equal voltage and impedance-rated transformers to get a greater VA output, so shouldn't this work for bass amps as well?
If I were to parallel two amps, with the same output voltage and impedance ratings into one cabinet, should this not give me an output with a great current?

Thanks for your thoughts

[MuzikMan]

[RickenBoogie]

2 heads into 1 cab = 2 blown up amps.

[77PBass]

The end.

[seamonkey]

Nothing commercially available or tested but some class-d modules can be hooked up in parallel for provide more current for lower impedance loads. The application notes for the modules show how to do this.

Don't try this on your own amps. They would have to be designed to work like this.

[brendanbassist]

Originally Posted by ILLINOX

I know I can parallel equal voltage and impedance-rated transformers to get a greater VA output, so shouldn't this work for bass amps as well?
If I were to parallel two amps, with the same output voltage and impedance ratings into one cabinet, should this not give me an output with a great current?

Thanks for your thoughts

Two voltage sources in parallel increases the maximum current that can be supplied, so theoretically you should be able to drive a lower impedance load. Given the same load, however, adding a second amp in parallel won't increase current or power through the load (apply ohm's law to the load- the impedance and voltage are the same as before.)

this of course assumes the output of both amps is identical; if the sources are not equal, one will try to "power" the other, and bad stuff happens.

To use two amps to get more power, they must be bridged.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by ILLINOX

I know I can parallel equal voltage and impedance-rated transformers to get a greater VA output, so shouldn't this work for bass amps as well?
If I were to parallel two amps, with the same output voltage and impedance ratings into one cabinet, should this not give me an output with a great current?

Thanks for your thoughts

In a word...no. Two transformers have an input that is at one regulated frequency, 50 or 60 Hz that will always be in phase to the primaries of both transformers. Two audio amps into a speaker is a different story. Usually will end very poorly, dual power amp units are designed to split the signal into a "push and pull" if you will in bridged mode so the two halfs of the waveform are combined at the speaker.

Edit: Bridged amps are actually more in series than parallel.