speaker cable question - OT - Standby

[glman]

is it safe to unplug a speaker cable from an amp head from one speaker cab to another while the amp is on standby - I'm told that it's OK as long as standby is engaged but I need some expert opinions

 

[?&!]

I have heard conflicting theories on this, so just to be safe, I always power the head down completely before removing a speaker cable. I love my amp, so I'm not taking any chances!

 

[riffmeister]

okay when the amp is on standby, not okay when the amp is off standby and in play mode.

 

[stuagu]

dont do it... power off totally. atb

 

[justonwo]

Of the amps I've owned and/or built, the only thing that's powered when you flip the power switch is the filaments, which means it's perfectly safe to unplug the speaker cable. Can't think of any special cases.

 

[riffmeister]

to be on the safe side, take out all the fuses and unplug from the wall.

 

[justonwo]

to be on the safe side, take out all the fuses and unplug from the wall.

I usually wait until there's a blackout in my neighborhood before I switch speaker cables.

 

[zuel69]

hahahah!

I usually wait until there's a blackout in my neighborhood before I switch speaker cables.

 

[VaughnC]

is it safe to unplug a speaker cable from an amp head from one speaker cab to another while the amp is on standby - I'm told that it's OK as long as standby is engaged but I need some expert opinions

Yes...with a tube amp on standby, it is safe to change speakers. The main concern here is potential flyback voltage generated in the output transformer with no or too high of a load on the amp. However, for said flyback voltage to be generated in the output transformer, the amp has to: 1)not be on standby, and, 2)also have an input signal applied (or some sort of internal oscillation malfunction).

 

[bosstone]

I switch cabs all the time in standby.

 

[quinnamps]

I switch cabs all the time in standby.

What he said. ALL the time. Never a problem.