Technical question (line6 lowdown 110 studio)

[irakliszs]

Hello!
I just bought a Line6 Lowdown studio 110 i found used and i am very happy with the sound and specs.

I would like to try it on rehearsals though i am afraid about the speaker, i don't want to push it hard and blow it.

My question is, if i replace the speaker with some other with greater power handling, will it be safe for the amplifier itself? In other words, the power amp is getting more and more stressed as i turn up the volume knob?

thanks!

 

[bccbass]

I personally think the stock speaker is fine for the 110/75wt studio/practice amp. The good thing about the LD110 is it utilizes 2 types of line outs. Utilize these for more volume via powered speaker/sound system. When I had mine, I would use the balanced line out to the house system.

 

[irakliszs]

i think i didn't put my question correctly.

I wonder what would happen if i used the amp with master volume cranked at 100%.

Assuming that the speaker can well handle the power without blowing up (say i put in a high wattage speaker) will the power amp get more stressed than when the master knob is at 50%?

With my little knowledge of amplifiers, i guessed that the power amp gain is fixed and one can use the master volume knob to divide the signal, sending some back to the ground and the rest to the speaker. So if i am correct even if the master volume knob sends all of the signal to the speaker, the power amp continues to do the same thing and nothing changes to the sound (provided that the speaker will be well able to handle the power and doesn't distort by itself).

But am i correct? That, i don't know

 

[B-string]

Keep in mind that a dimed (volume up full) amp will distort badly even if the speaker is overrated for the amps nominal max clean power. Maximum clean output is found between 11:00 and (at most) 3:00 for most amps.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Yes as you turn up the volume the power amp works harder. Thing is that the position of the master has no bearing on the power being put out. If the input signal is hot enough, the amp would put it's maximum power with the master almost off.

 

[seamonkey]

Combo may in fact be reaching their maximum output well before the knob is at 100%. For example an active bass will drive the amp to louder volumes with the knob in a lower position.

Good combo amp designers put in drivers that are well above the maximum output of the amplifier even in extreme cases. They also build in limiters to protect speakers.

The amp and power supply are driven hard at extremes, but here too, good engineering builds in the margins and protection.

Crank it.

 

[irakliszs]

my preamp is a digital modelling preamp meaning that the gain knob also simulates the gain knob of the actual amp that is being modelled. I have set it to positions just before i notice any preamp clipping.

Then i use my master to set my volume.

If its possible, i would like a link to read or an explanation why the power amp is getting stressed more if the master volume pot is cranked up.

seamonkey, your words are reassuring, but how well engineered is this combo?

thanks for the info, guys!

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Try different settings with the gain control, comp and drive.
I have used mine in many various situations including live work and find that the RnB setting, with the drive at 12 'o'clock, the gain at 3 'o' clock allows the comp to increase or decrease the gain.
Bear in mind the Lowdown range has various amps that increase in output to accomodate many situations, so if you need more output, use the correct amp in the range. I have an HD 400 rack mount head which is an option to use when i need more output, it has the exact same tone shaping as the 110 but more output.
When i have used 110 live it was Di'd and the signal sent FOH and monitored back to me, so no output issues.
In all the amp is a studio amp rather than a true live amp because the range offers various live amp applications to choose from.....so match your needs to the amp.

Here is an old FOH clip of it being used against two guitarists each using Vibrokings, a harp player using a Marble Harpmaster, and one of the loudest drummers i have played with and it stll cut through.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kGxPZ1NA78Y&feature=related

 

[B-string]

my preamp is a digital modelling preamp meaning that the gain knob also simulates the gain knob of the actual amp that is being modelled. I have set it to positions just before i notice any preamp clipping.

Then i use my master to set my volume.

If its possible, i would like a link to read or an explanation why the power amp is getting stressed more if the master volume pot is cranked up.

seamonkey, your words are reassuring, but how well engineered is this combo?

thanks for the info, guys!

"Master" volume controls were added to allow users to get an overdriven sound from just increased harmonics to all out distortion at lower overall volume levels. Where the maximum clean power happens on the control is the designer and marketing choice. An amplifier that develops it's full output at 9:00 with only 100 watts will appear to the user to be a "louder" amp than a 100 watt amp that has to be cranked to 3:00. The user sees it as having to really crank the amp "hard" to get the same volume. In reality the same amount of voltage gain is achieved by both units, only the "knob position" is different.