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Re: ESS Eclipse Series Amp 500A

The ESS 500A is a Bob Bird design that is rated 250/250 watts into 8 and 500/500 into 4 with a the optional 1000 series fan pack. It will current limit rather ungracefully at about 3 ohms. There is also a 504A which is 250 into 4 and 500 into 2 ohms. Same amp different impedance layout.
The weak link on these is the power supply caps can fail and will take out a channel of 10 no longer available RCA TO-3 outputs. I use McIntosh MC300 power supply caps ($$) in mine. The Moldex meters usually stop working due to corrosion on the input screws. Carefully remove the meter and pry it apart, tighten up the internal nuts on the terminals and the meter works again. You can check the meter with an ohm meter, if it measures open you will need to open the meter up. The meter sensitivity switches may also be dirty. If you push these partially in they will shut the meters off by design.
What speakers do you use the amp with? As far a direct coupled amps from 1975 these 500As kind of blow the Phase Linears and Crowns out of the water.

Ron-C


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