Eden WT800A - Cons?

[Blankmann44]

Hi,

I'm thinking about picking up an Eden WT800A manufactured in '96 for $600. What are the reasons I should really look for a 'B' or 'C' model of the amp?

I've read that in bridged mono mode the minimum load is 8 ohms, what exactly does that mean? I can't run a 4 ohm cab in bridge mono mode?

Thanks for reback!

 

[Blankmann44]

bump

 

[Vin_MM_Sabre_79]

Yeh.
If you have 4 Ohm cabs the B or C would be more versatile

 

[Blankmann44]

But if I did have two 4 ohm cabs could I run it in stereo? Would there be any sound differences if I were running say a 4x10 and a 1x15 in stereo vs mono?

 

[KJung]

But if I did have two 4 ohm cabs could I run it in stereo? Would there be any sound differences if I were running say a 4x10 and a 1x15 in stereo vs mono?

The bridge thing can be confusing. With the WT800a, there are two ways to optimize performance. You can either run TWO 4 ohm cabs in 'stereo' or ONE 8ohm cab bridged. The wattage for both will be identical.

Remember that when running an amp bridged, each side of the amp sees 1/2 the total impedance. So, an amp bridged into 8ohms results in each side running at 4ohms... hence the above described 'optimal' combination.

If you run an amp bridged into 4ohms, each side runs at 2ohms, which is below the minimal threshold of the 800a.

For your example above, it depends on the impedance of your cabs. With an 800a, if you have 2 8ohm cabs, you are screwed. You can't bridge, because the nominal total impedance of 4ohms is too low. However, if you run two 8 ohm cabs stereo, you are only generating about 200 watts or so per side... so the volume would be identical to the WT400.

So, if you have either two relatively small 4ohm cabs (like 4ohm 210XLT's) or one large 8ohm cab (like an 8ohm 410XST or XLT), then the WT800z is PERFECT. If you have the opposite (one large 4ohm cab, or two 8 ohm cabs), it would not be the head to purchase, and you'd need either the WT300/400/550 or one of the updated WT800b or c models, etc. if you wanted to stay with Eden.

 

[Blankmann44]

Thanks, that answers my question pretty thoroughly.

 

[Mcrelly]

kjung, wow thats confusing stuff!!!

glad you know whats goin' on...

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

You don't need to bridge that amp. I had one of the earliest 800's, and that thing screamed. TONS of booty from that bad boy. I even stopped running it in stereo, but just ran 2 8 ohm boxes on one side. (see above description)

 

[lakedmb]

I know this is an old thread, but would this particular Eden head have any difficulty running the Ampeg SVT 410HLF? It is a 4 ohm cabinet and the manual for the Eden says that it is 400W @ 4Ω and not to bridge the amp with a cab lower than 8 Ω.

Is there any reason why I should pass on this amp with a 4 ohm cab?

 

[4Mal]

Well you are limited to 400 watts but ... it's a really, realy loud 400 watts. These amps were pretty conservatively rated. I run an 800A as my 'large' rig and love it. I don't generally bridge though. The older Edens are incredible amps...

 

[babebambi]

If you need more than 400 watt in a single 4 ohm cab, then pass.

If that single cab is all you will ever need, than there are cheaper Eden amp like the WT400.

OTOH, if you plan to add more cab(s) the WT800 is more flexible, even its an early model like the "A" .

 

[fleabee]

They had overheating issues-just reverse the direction of the fan flow and dont put it in a rack.

 

[4Mal]

used market prices, the 800 isn't all that much more than a 400 these days. I'd do the 800 in a blink. Then again I actuallly use the crossover. So for be the biamp thing is huge... The 400 was the amp that started me down the Eden path. Just a wonderful sounding head. The 800 is as well.

overheating ? Mine lives in a 4 space rack and I've kept it cranked for long periods with no issues... The fan does come on when it's pushed but I figgered it was 'sposed to...