input voltage??

[brokenman1977]

how important is input voltage to an amplifier? my head unit puts out like 2V and i have ordered a line driver that puts out up to 13.5V. my amp has a maximum input voltage of 5V.

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[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

IMO LD's became obsolete several years ago. Now that 2v is standard voltage for even the cheapest of HU's and about every amp's sensitivy range goes to 1/4v or less any HU/amp combo should allow the amp to reach its optimal level of power w/o bringing audible noise into the equation.

Hopefully the LD's adjustable - unless you want your system output to go from zero to maximum in a fraction of your HU's volume range you'll have to limit the LD to around 5v when your HU's at full (unclipped) volume.

W/O your LD you probably wouldn't have needed more than 1/2 gain.

My HU is 2v, my amps will accept up to 7v. I set my gains for rated power (they're under-rated amps) using the DMM method, and both gains are less than 1/2.

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

The higher the input voltage the lower the gain needs to be.If your running multiple amps its good but for a single amp and sub I would just use the deck.With a higher input people tend to keep the gains in the same place as with the deck alone which leads to massive clipping and damaged subs and amps.Just get a good eletrical and you'll be fine without it.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

If your running multiple amps its good

why?