What does it all Mean?

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Nov 10, 2003 | 05:44 PM

#21

MacGyver

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From: Columbia, MD

Quote:

Originally posted by oneaudiopro
Lets assume that most amps can reach their full rated output with 1V at the amps input. What a 4V preamp section on a deck does for you is allow you to drive the input of the amp with the amp gain DOWN..............so the amp can reproduce a cleaner signal without alot of the associated noise that would normally be present if the amps gain were at a higher level. An amp can only put out it's rated power ONLY, no matter if you are using a 1V preamp or an 8V preamp section on your deck..................the difference will be how clean the signal is at the amps output because of the lower gain setting on the amp.

Agreed.

Quote:

Another advantage of a high output preamp is the ability to drive the input(s) of multiple amps, whereas a 1 or 2V preamp would come up short on its ability to drive multiple amps to their full rated output.

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here...how do you figure a higher preout voltage equates to an increased ability to drive multiple amps?

Nov 10, 2003 | 07:04 PM

#22

oneaudiopro

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From: Cotati

Depending on how many amps you're trying to drive, the preamp voltage could be substantially reduced to a point that the amps inputs are not being driven to their full potential..........................I hope I said that right in laymans terms

Nov 10, 2003 | 07:17 PM

#23

BlkMagic

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From: Brea

Oneaudiopro,

do you mean if you dasiy chain amps togther that higher pre out would be better?

Nov 10, 2003 | 07:23 PM

#24

oneaudiopro

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From: Cotati

yes

Nov 10, 2003 | 08:11 PM

#25

MacGyver

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From: Columbia, MD

Quote:

Originally posted by oneaudiopro
Depending on how many amps you're trying to drive, the preamp voltage could be substantially reduced to a point that the amps inputs are not being driven to their full potential.

I would tend to disagree with that statement, then. The voltage LEVEL does not determine if more than one amplifier can be driven. That determination is made by the driving capability of the preout circuitry. If the voltage level is reduced on the line when several amps are connected, then either the preout circuit does not have the capability to handle it or the amplifier's input circuit is not properly buffered (a rare find on today's fully-integrated components). I wouldn't want a higher preout voltage just so I can watch it drop as I add on another amp...if it drops more than a handful of millivolts then the circuits were never designed with that capability in mind.