Line Driver.... what is it?

[tukn18s 10+ year member]

I am thinking about buying a new Headunit, thing is, it only has 2 volt preamp outputs. I was told that the higher the voltage output on the preamps is, the better the sound quality. Now, somebody on another forum mentioned a line driver. What exactly is a line driver, from the sounds of it, it takes a low voltage preamp output, and turns it into a high voltage output. Is this correct? Also, what line driver would I need to convert two seperate low voltage outputs to high voltage outputs? from the looks of it, a line driver only does one set of rca's? would i need two?

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[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

higher preamp voltage is overrated. basically you match your amp's input level with the deck's output. a lower voltage requires you to turn the gain higher, therfore a greater chance of noise. if you do a good install you should have zero noise and make higher voltage useless. a line driver basically boosts the voltage of the deck's output. look for a deck with low impedence outputs vs. high voltage.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I am thinking about buying a new Headunit, thing is, it only has 2 volt preamp outputs. I was told that the higher the voltage output on the preamps is, the better the sound quality.

That's a myth. Assuming the amplifier has no audible noise, and assuming you properly adjust the gain correctly in each instance.....there is no audible difference between a 1V preamp level and an 8V preamp level.

As was mentioned, the only thing a higher preamp output voltage does is allow you to decrease the amplifier gain, possibly decreasing noise. But if you have no noise with 2V, then going to 8V (for example) will do absolutely nothing for you.

And adding a line driver to an already noise-free system for the sole purpose of increasing the voltage level could actually do more harm than good. All it would do is increase your chances of having noise in the system by adding another component into the signal path.

Now, somebody on another forum mentioned a line driver.

9 out of 10 times they are a waste of money.

What exactly is a line driver, from the sounds of it, it takes a low voltage preamp output, and turns it into a high voltage output. Is this correct?

Basically, yes. Increases the voltage of the preamp signal.

Also, what line driver would I need to convert two seperate low voltage outputs to high voltage outputs? from the looks of it, a line driver only does one set of rca's? would i need two?

Don't buy any //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[tukn18s 10+ year member]

currently i have no noise at all.. the deck is actually a T.V./D.V.D player, from jvc, heres the link http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027436&pathId=58&page=1 , is that a good unit? even thought it only has 2 volt preamp outputs? i can turn the gain up on my amps no problem. Let me know, and thanks for the help

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

currently i have no noise at all.. the deck is actually a T.V./D.V.D player, from jvc, heres the link http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027436&pathId=58&page=1 , is that a good unit? even thought it only has 2 volt preamp outputs? i can turn the gain up on my amps no problem. Let me know, and thanks for the help

like mentioned before if you have no noise there is no problem. imo a line driver should never be purchased. if you have noise you should fine the source of the noise instead of patching it with a line driver. do you know how to properly set gains? read the gain tutorial.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

currently i have no noise at all.. the deck is actually a T.V./D.V.D player, from jvc, heres the link http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027436&pathId=58&page=1 , is that a good unit? even thought it only has 2 volt preamp outputs? i can turn the gain up on my amps no problem. Let me know, and thanks for the help

I don't know whether or not that is good unit (never used it)....but as long as you have no noise, 2V is fine. Just properly set the gain knob.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I may be purchasing a line driver in the future...because I do have noise with less-than-2V preouts //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif