I recently installed a stereo in my S2000, and had a few questions for people regarding setting up/tuning the amp.

In the past, I have set the gains to minimal on the amp, raised the headset volume setting to maximum (ie 30 on Alpine units), and gradually raised the gain setting until the on-set of distortion.

Well, not sure what is different this time, but I set my amplifier gain to minimal, and kept bumping up the headset's volume. I got to 26 and it was extremely loud (not quite, but almost hurting my ears ). I honestly can't see myself getting the headset to volume level 30 and then raising the gain level... Does this mean I am wasting my amplifier's power (90w RMS per channel)?

BTW, my stereo equipment is as follows:
Source Units Alpine CDA-7876RB, Alpine CHA-S624
Amplifier Precision Power (PPI) 2360
Speakers/Front Stage Focal Utopia 165W

 

I use an oscilloscope to set my gains, but found a page that might help you out...
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/gaincon2.htm

 

Rick,

Thanks for that. Definitely the kind of information I was after.

 

Rick's use of the oscilloscope is the best method. At full setting, just about any standard amp design is going to distort (this also includes pre-amp outputs). Set the max on the pre-amp out to be just below the distortion point, then adjust your amp the same way. Everything should be peachy after that.