Buying 3 200M

Hi; I placed an order for three 200M's for my front stage (Polk RTi12 mains, Polk CSi5 Center); will use my Denon 3803 as pre, and feed the sides and backs directly from the denon.

I hope you can help me answer a couple of questions re the installation.

1.-Power Consumption: I saw that each 200M can go up to 600W; I am planning to plug the three to a dedicated 20A circuit...but the manual recommends to have each in a 15 A circuit... What is the normal approach? Should I really get each in a dedicated circuit??

2.-Never had an amplifier, so this question is very basic.....what cables should I use for the input? Analog or Digital?

Thanks!!

Rick.

1. The amps do not each require a dedicated circuit. Having all three on a 20A circuit is plenty of power - more, in fact, than the three can use even at peak output.

2. You'll want to use analog interconnects between your Denon and the M200's.

Enjoy 'em!

Wow...that was fast.

Thanks Gonk

One more question; reading some threads saw one that says that the 200's do not need surge protection...Is this right? Can they go directly to the outlet without risking them?

Thanks!!

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HT,
I have a 3805 and Axiom M80ti (95 db eff). Other forums, Av123, Axiom question how much benefit I'll get from M200's or any 200 wpc amp. What was your deciding factor?
Thanks

IMO ... always surge protect!

I asked this question to Outlaw when I bought mine.They told me that is does not require one due to there in an internal one or something like that.....I have the same 3 front speakes as you and you will love the Monoblocks.They will wake up your Polks.

I hadn't seen that about the surge protect on the M200. Any literature on that?

I havn't seen it either this is what Steve from Outlaw told me.....I am sure if you call him he could explain it....I still have all my gear protected anyway.

Truth is, a lightning strike can fry through almost anything, but is rare. Tripp-Lite is a good way to inexpensively add some protection to the amps, even if it is redundant.

I agree. I'd rather be redundant and fry a surge protector than chance the amp.

Bugbitten,

To your question on deciding factor.....
-On buying AMPS; I am definitely not an audio expert...still lots to learn, but I know that some power will improve the sound of my Polks. Gary mentions that above and he has the same speakers; heard this same thing from him and others in the Polk forum. Will sound better at lower volumes and will get me higher volumes with no/less distortion. Anyway there are experts that can talk better about this.
-On the Outlaws vs. other brands: also in the Polk forum these amps are popular, and the price is more affordable than other brands...

I've been preparing everything for the installation and decided to go with the 12v trigger out to start with; reading the manual of my Denon 3803, got to another question; settings for trigger out are on/off for the different input sources (DVD, CD, etc); What does this mean? That whenever I select any of the input sources that have an "on" setting this will make the 12V output flow? ..Just checking...

You've got it - set the trigger to "on"

I bought in. 2 monos ordered today. I'll give them the old in home test.

Congrats Bugbitten...I think we will all want to hear your experience with those high eff. speakers...

In also asked Outlaw about whether or not surge protection was needed on the M200's and this is the response I rec'd from Steve:

I always recommend surge suppressors or line conditioning. The following is an exerpt from the M200 manual regarding warranty:
"This warranty covers all defects in material and workmanship with the following specific exceptions. These are:
• Damage caused by improper installation or adjustment • Damage caused by connection to AC power outside of the specified range • Damage caused by accident, unreasonable use or neglect • Damage from failure to follow instructions contained in this Owner’s Manual • Damage from the performance of repairs by someone not authorized by Outlaw Audio • Any unit on which the serial number has been effaced, modified, or removed • Damage occurring during shipment (Consult the carrier for claims due to shipping damage) • Units which have been altered or modified in design, appearance or construction"
That said it's important to protect against an overvoltage condition like a surge. You may read that it's OK to plug the amp into the wall, and it is, however a surge protector will probably react faster than the "slow-blow" type of fuse that's used in amps. Additionally a surge protector will help to prevent catastrophic failure from a surge better than a slow-blow fuse with the unit.
We are very good regarding warranty coverage, and I'm sure we've even repaired units that were technically not covered under the terms of our warranty. We never like to refuse warranty repair, however if a unit is obviously damaged and is not a defect we do reserve the right to determine that it is a non warranty repair. In a sense, a catastrophic surge is an accident much like a liquid entering the chassis and is not a defect in parts or workmanship.
I've heard that the Brick Wall line of surge protectors do a great job at protecting equipment and do not limit current. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Thanks and Regards,

Steve

I did purchase a couple of the Brick Wall surge protectors and have been quite happy.

With regard to your question about power requirements for the M200's. I have six M200's on one circuit with a preamp and four M200's on another circuit with two 500 watt subwoofers. With the music turned up VERY loud I pull around 16-17 amps on one circuit and about 15-16 amps on the other circuit (this is louder than one can comfortably listen to). So one 20 amp is plenty for three M200's.

Thanks for the input; from all I've heard here I will:

-Protect the Amps.
-put the three in a dedicated 15 A circuit.

BTW...do they come with the trigger cables? If not, what/where do I neet to buy?

I have 3 of these w/two 250 watt subs in the towers, TV and the rest of the HT equip along with some lights on a 15a circuit and never threw it. Maybe I just don't turn it up incredibly loud? Oh well, dedicated line sure wouldn't hurt. Oh, I do have a surge protector, but I also needed it for the number of outlets. Never popped that thing either.

The amps do not come with trigger cables. I picked some up from partsexpress.

Would these do it?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-095

HTRookie:
According to Steve at outlaw the trigger cables need to be mono, not stereo. He indicated that the stereo plugs can line up but will not do so consistently. I bought mono plugs at ratshack and made my own.

Thanks Roland; that's what I'll do.

Thanks to everyone else for all your input. Amps already at the local Fedex....might get them today.

Thanks Roland; that's what I'll do.

Thanks to everyone else for all your input. Amps already at the local Fedex....might get them today.

In this thread we discussed the Radio Shack 42-2420 . I use 5 of them (and a random cable I had laying around) to have my 950's 12v trigger turn my M200s on and off.

At $3.29 each for complete cables, I couldn't justify the effort of DIY for trigger cables. The aforementioned thread goes through some parts you could use if you are inclined to DIY.

Here's one more question; the manual says that you cannoct connect more than two amps with the 12v trigger; does anyone have 3 amps connected like this? Is there a ny real risk?

Txs.

The manual does say that, but Outlaw has said in the past that more than two amps will work depending on the amps in question. The signal is degraded somewhat each time it is split or passes through an amp (some amps, such as the M200's, have a trigger input and output), but most amps don't require the full 12V of signal to flip from "0" (off) to "1" (on). Whether having three or more will work depends on the sensitivity of the amp's trigger. The two amp limit in the manual is a "pretty much guaranteed" to work limit.

I got one today. The other is stuck in Ohio for some reason.

I used the one to drive my center channel, an Axiom Vp150 6 ohm.

There IS a difference. To my ears it sounds cleaner. Even at low levels (65 dB)! It's too late for high volume. I'll try that in the morning.

Is there a deal on the third mono if you order it a couple of days later?

Wonder what the wife will say when I tell her I'm ordering another. "Maybe they shipped a third by mistake?"

Very pleased. Can't wait to try monos on the mains.

Give 'em a call and ask. Can't hurt, right?

Same deal. 3rd Mono ordered.

Nice....

Do M200 take dual banana plugs?

Outlaw M200 Monos.

My test CD is Kenny Loggins Greatest Hits. Plenty of bass, mid and treble.

The M200s seem to drive the Axiom 80's with more punch and tightness. If I switch between pure direct and stereo, the sub cuts in. Switching back and forth, the 80s bass response becomes more like my Axiom EP500 sub. Not as deep but just as clear and defined and musical as the sub.

Switching the banana plugs between the receiver and the amps, I listened to the same cd while watching the clock to get the same time frames for both. The amp seems to have a cleaner sound very similiar to the differences between the Axiom 60's and to 80's. A cleaner, clearer sound.

Then I crank it up. 95dB to me is real loud. The bass response of the 80's is almost unbelievable. For CD music you'd never need the sub. The highs are crystal clear. Chimes used in some numbers ring very clear. Clearer than the receiver.

I used the SPL meter to check channel levels and did not have to adjust after set-up. I bought Outlaw PCA cables and I like the locking mechanism.

The 3rd mono will be here next week for the center channel.

I am very pleased with my HT setup so far. I think the monos will be a good addition.

IMHO,

Bug

You have the Axiom EP500 sub - wow! I envy you there.

That is exactly the sub that I am saving up for at the moment. I've been eying the Axiom 80's as well, so it's really good to read about your experience. I'm surprised that you would say that the sub is not needed for CD (?) The 80's must be better in the bass regard than I had imagined!

I believe tha a lot of prople drive their fronts with 2 channel amps for stereo. The 80's are great. I listen "pure direct" to cds. To me, the 80's are good listening at any level.

The EP500 changed my dvd experience.

I do, and using the stereo plug you linked earlier too. Everything's working great.

I use the 12v trigger from my 950 to turn 7 M200's on and off. As Gonk pointed out when he referenced this thread , the Outlaw's Scott said:

Thanks to all; I just installed them and all 3 have the 12v trigger.

So far, have not been able to test with and without the amps to compare, but they sure sound great; very clear at high volumes.

Look forward to your comparison. So far I have been fine with "music on" setting.

Me too