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Kustom K200 vs. B200 output power [message #25347] Sun, 31 July 2016 22:13 Go to next message
GaryLC is currently offline  GaryLC
Messages: 52
Registered: December 2012
Member
Guys,

I have a few 200B Kustom heads, and just picked up a K200 PA head. I assumed that all were rated at 200 watts peak. The K200 head isn't anywhere near as loud as the other heads, but sounds great nontheless. It also says on the back "One 4 ohm or two 8 ohm loads" (or something similar. The 200B heads just have two output jacks, so I've always assumed that they were putting out peak power into one 4 ohm load or two 8 ohm loads.
Am I mistaken, so thought something might be wrong with the K200 head because it was not as loud as the other heads....or is this the way they were designed?
Re: Kustom K200 vs. B200 output power [message #25348 is a reply to message #25347] Mon, 01 August 2016 06:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Are we talking about a 4 channel A series PA head here, as they should be almost the same in volume as the B series if all is well internally.

All of the A series and B series amps use the same power transformers in all models within there series so as you add more channels and effects above the non effect straight up 2 channel model the amp will output less power due to the added stuff sucking up more current out of the power transformer that could have gone into the output stage.

If the A series heads output stage was worked on then unmatched output transistors may have been used making for less power and or just the output stage emitter resistors drifting with age can make for less power!
The two main power supply rail filters may be showing there age also .

Try this , leave the amp on for two days and then play it and see if the volume level picks up any, and yes all 3 era's of 200 series amps ( Frank, A and B) want a 4 ohm load for the head to output its full RMS wattage which can veri from 86 to 96 watts dependant on what I posted about above .

And in regards to the 200 model designstion on these amps , I have never seen any of them output anywhere near there so called 200 watts of peak power, and this is even with the average higher wall outlet voltage we have today!

I have worked on many Frank model heads that where only outputting 60 watts of RMS power and not the 92 watts that they can do because of 6 resistors in the output stage that over the years drifted off value .
For less than 10 bucks in parts you get back well over 30 watts of clean power!

[Updated on: Mon, 01 August 2016 06:42]

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Re: Kustom K200 vs. B200 output power [message #25349 is a reply to message #25348] Mon, 01 August 2016 12:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GaryLC is currently offline  GaryLC
Messages: 52
Registered: December 2012
Member
Thanks Steve!!

Yes this is a K200-5 4 channel PA head, I've had others that I've used as bass heads, sounds just as great as the 2 channel no-effect models. This is definitely weaker, I'll have it looked at.
Your info saved my old Frankie Head, the tech was scratching his head until I brought in a copy of what you suggested could be wrong with it.....and he followed it to a tee! Sounds incredible now, thanks!!
Re: Kustom K200 vs. B200 output power [message #25350 is a reply to message #25347] Mon, 01 August 2016 12:12 Go to previous message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
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