PS-2A use with other load boxes?

I just attempted a test on the line out from my PS-2A. I wanted to do the test without using a speaker cab, so here’s how I hooked it up: amp > PS2 > Rivera Rock Crusher (instead of a speaker cabinet). I used good speaker cables and set all the ohms selectors for each piece of gear to 16 ohms. As soon as I started playing smoke started coming out of my Rock Crusher. I assumed this would work fine because the PS-2 is a tube power amp. I immediately turned everything off and disconnected the Rock Crusher. I then tested my amp and PS2 and they seem to work fine with no damage. I am afraid to use my Rock Crusher now because if it’s fried I don’t want to damage my amp. I reached out to Rivera but haven’t heard back from them yet, so I thought I would pose the question here.

The reason for the test is because I’m thinking about buying a ZMACS, and I wanted to know if I could put the PS-2A in the attenuator loop for when I’m using my actual speaker cab, but I wanted to put another load box on one of the cab jacks on the ZMACS so I could use the line out from the PS2 and then send the load to another load box. That way I could do silent recording without having to rewire everything. I could use the line out from the PS2, but send the load to another load box to keep things quiet. Will this setup not work?

Hi @boogerfingerz

This seems like a case of bad luck. The PS-2 is a 50W tube amp and the Rock Crusher seems rated for 150W. I cannot see anything wrong in what you did.

Yes, if you had smoke coming from the Rock Crusher is will almost certainly need a service.

Regards

Dan

Thanks for the quick reply! I’m just glad I didn’t do something dumb and destroy all my expensive gear