Do any connections on the PS2 REQUIRE something always plugged into them when powered on?

Stage & Studio Power Station PS-2
1

HI folks. For years I’ve been turning my Fryette PS2 off then back on to disconnect and reconnect certain things. I’m tired of doing this. Is there any connection that NEEDS to be connected while the PS2 is powered on or can I just plug things in and out as needed?

Follow up to that question; When changing amps I’m using with the PS2, do I have to power it off before swapping the Amp and Speaker Out connections on different heads?

Been wondering this forever and I’m finally doing something about it! Thanks.

2

It’s always good practice to turn off any high voltage when unplugging tube gear.

For the Power Station you can keep the green power button on. Just make sure it is BYPASS mode; BYPASS = STANDBY. That way you cannot damage it. If you unplug the SPRK OUT the Power Station will put itself into BYPASS, but I prefer to do this manually.

Of course, your amp should always be in standby (or off) when disconnecting/reconnecting speaker cables.

3

Hey Dan. Thanks so much for the reply. Totally hear you on the amp. I never have that even on Standby when connecting/disconnecting. Always turn my amps off. The PS2 however I figured if the PS2 takes the amp load and the amp isn’t there it is somewhat okay to plug/unplug at will but I’ve never really KNOWN.

So based on what your’e saying it sounds like if I’m going to say change which head I’m running through the PS2 I should do the following:

  1. Turn amp off
  2. Flip PS2 switch into Bypass
  3. Unplug current amp cables and plug into next head
  4. Flip PS2 switch to Operate

Is that correct?

Also to confirm, you’re saying I can plug/unplug any connection on the PS2 at will regardless of what is connected if it’s in Bypass as far as the PS2’s safety is concerned. Correct?

Thank you for your assistance! Appreciated.

4

Hi Rick,

Yes, your steps 1–4 sound good to me.

Also to confirm, you’re saying I can plug/unplug any connection on the PS2 at will regardless of what is connected if it’s in Bypass as far as the PS2’s safety is concerned. Correct?

Yes, as far at the PS-2A is concerned, there is not much you can do to break it. If it does not have a cab connected, it will turn itself off.

Here in a sentence. Put everything in standby when changing connections.

1 Like
5

Amazing. Thanks so much for your help Dan. I feel much better about how to properly use my PS2 now. Appreciated! Take care.

6

I’m starting to put together a Synergy rig with a SYN-2, PS-2, and rack panel for all I/O.

To be sure I don’t misunderstand anything here… it would NOT be a good idea to have a speaker-level panel socket to connect the Speaker Out from the PS-2 because the jack within the PS-2 itself is what’s controlling whether the load is being used. Is that correct even if the PS-2 is not powered on?

7

Hey garden,

Outputs always connect to inputs, so SYN SPEAKER OUT goes to PS-2 AMP IN.

image
image700×246 23.6 KB

image
image671×326 55.3 KB

It’s the SPKR OUT ONE jack on the PS-2A that is has open load protection. If nothing is connected here the PS-2A is locked in BYPASS.

8

Hey Dan,

I guess more plainly - if I have a speaker cable connected to SPKR1 but the other side is not connected to a speaker/load, then the load protection won’t be in effect and I’d need to tread carefully, correct?

9

I actually wonder this as well. I’m curious to see what Dan says but I would imagine the PS2 is not aware in that scenario so maybe the cable is still hot and that’s a potential problem for the PS2. Great question.

10

Yes, it is just a switch. It is not load sensing in anyway, it assumes the other end is connected!. Good point.