Maxing out my amp gain?

[cloud_171 10+ year member]

Hi, I am at the point where I am adjusting my gains. I posted a similar thread in the install section but figured posting it here regarding on adjusting the gain is more appropriate. Here are my components:

JL W7 12" in a sealed enclosure built to JL Specs

DLS UR6 (on the way)

Cadence ZRS-10 (150W @ 4ohm, 1500W @ 2ohm, 250w @ 1OHM)

eD nine.2

Pioneer P5900IB (temp)

KnuKonceptz KLM-4 4 gauge amp kit

So far I am only installing the Cadence and sub to test it out. Anyways I am trying to achieve 1kw @ 3 ohms. I am told that the amp can do that much. I followed the tutorial and used a 60Hz 0db track. I had to max out the gain in order to achieve the desired 54V. Does that seem right? Is it safe to run the amp at max gain? I am too afraid to actually hook the sub up with the max gain. Also should I try to use a -3db track instead for better results?

Also could I directly hook my nine.2 to the battery instead of using a distro block?

Click to read more...

 

[sue bee 10+ year member]

no. you will cause the la clippers.

 

[cloud_171 10+ year member]

even though that is what I need to get desired voltage? sqrt(1000 * 3) = 54V? or am I doing something wrong?

 

[937DYTBOI 5,000+ posts]

never safe to max out the gain

 

[Grim 10+ year member]

Not to thread jack, but iv always read it as you want the lowest(max) gain setting possible while staying under your voltage level. If thats true then you would be fine.

Can anyone chime in on that for us?

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

What is the sub level on your HU and what volume?

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Judging from what you posted and your problems, I'm willing to bet the power ratings you posted are MAX power. Not RMS.

I dont think you can't get 1000watts @ 3ohms RMS on your amp.

 

[cloud_171 10+ year member]

I assume they are RMS numbers since their ad says 2500RMS which refers to the 1ohm:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CADENCE-ZRS10-2500-WATT-RMS-MONO-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ250104137600QQihZ015QQcategoryZ64570QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and when I asked the seller he said about 1000W. I never specified RMS when I asked so that might be a possibility.

Also for everything on the HU is off and volume is about 75%.

 

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

that amp is incredibly over-rated... I mean as soon as you open the linkit says 2,500 RMS in big bold red letters exactly for people like you(what I used to be) a nooob

 

[cloud_171 10+ year member]

Is cadence known for overrating their amps? If they are overrated how do I figure out what its actual rating is?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

never safe to max out the gain

Not true.

Judging from what you posted and your problems, I'm willing to bet the power ratings you posted are MAX power. Not RMS.
I dont think you can't get 1000watts @ 3ohms RMS on your amp.

Well it would appear that he is getting that power out of the amp.

that amp is incredibly over-rated... I mean as soon as you open the linkit says 2,500 RMS in big bold red letters exactly for people like you(what I used to be) a nooob

Red letters equal overrated...hmmmm I'll keep that in mind. Sounds like a good litmus test. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eyebrow.gif.fe2c18d8720fe8c7eaed347b21ea05a5.gif

All of the above quotes are talking without basis. There are times when it is necessary to turn the gain all the way up because of weak HU preouts. Doesn't in any way mean that you will clip the amp. You might pick up some noise from the signal line that will sould like a hiss during quiet parts but that isn't going to be noticable with music. Cadence is not known for overrating their amps, BTW.

If you really want to do this right, without knowing the output @ 3 ohms (it SHOULD be 1000w, based on the 2 ohm numbers, 833 based on the 1 ohm numbers) you would need an o-scope or a clipping detection circuit. Turn up the gain with a test tone until the output clips. That is really all there is to it. Chances are that something isn't quite right with the setup of the HU or the crossovers that is attenuating the output @ 60hz requiring the gain to be maxed out, but your HU could just have weak outputs.

 

[drifterman33 10+ year member]

Sorry to steal the thread but this question is for helotaxi....if my headunits preamp voltage is 2.0 (is that weak??) would it be ok to turn the gain up almost max if that is what i need to reach my desired 31.6volts???

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Since it's only going to do 2V at it's absolute max (bass boost up, distortion high, etc...) you may have to turn the gains up. Mine are actually up pretty high because of the weak preouts on the newer Alpine units. Not that big of a deal, system's still quiet.

 

[chevy_man 10+ year member]

don't max your gains, you will clip the hell out of it. end of story.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

don't max your gains, you will clip the hell out of it. end of story.

Would you like to put money on that?

I love when people think that blanket statements can be made in regards to this or any other concept in regards to car audio. I could probably not search very hard and find an amp that would not make rated power with my HU because the preamp voltage isn't high enough to drive the amp to that point. The gain control is there for a reason and if you need to use the full range of it to get the amp to work with your HU, there's no reason not to.