My Pre Out Voltage Predicament. What’s your $0.02?

[-DOZER-]

Sounds more like you wanted someone to agree with you, as oppose to inform you.

Hmm not really, his post addressed exactly what I asked. I never intended this tread to be a debate about the pro's/con's of high voltage HU -vs- low voltage. I just ended up with the latter in my truck (which is not my preference) and wanted to address it (with out buying a new HU for +$800).

The Sound Control 6SX seems to be the ticket until I can afford a new HU (even then I can still use it). It was good advice that lead me to that conclusion.

 

[-DOZER-]

My god, so much misinformation in here it's ******* ridiculous. Helotaxi already stated it, the SQ of your system depends on the quality of your equipment NOT the pre-out voltage. If your amplifier is of any quality at all there will be no audible difference between a 2v, 4v, 6v, or even 8v preout, PERIOD. Stop buying cheap equipment then worrying about SQ, that's like buying a Ford Taurus and worrying about what your quarter mile time is.

Yea I know the SQ of my HU is not up to par by any standards (and is the root of the issue). I unfortunately have become accustomed to the convenience of the GPS/iPod/BlueTooth/Navigation the HU provides. So Im looking for a compromise for now. Seems the 6SX might be it.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

My .02 is that the only pro's for higher preouts is that you can set the gain lower. The pros of that are of course that the amp will run cooler and less distortion. Moreso the amp will run cooler.

All that is total BS. The amp actual gain section of the amp doesn't know the difference. The input stage of the amp is a voltage gain section only and if well designed and built will not add appreciable distortion regardless of the position of the gain control. All the output section does is amplify the signal from the input section. The power supply and the output stage are the sources of heat and both operate independently of the gain. Both work the same amount to produce 100w (or whatever) regardless of the input signal strength.

If the signal from the HU is crap, all a line driver is going to do is make the signal higher voltage crap.

 

[-DOZER-]

If the signal from the HU is crap, all a line driver is going to do is make the signal higher voltage crap.

So do you think a Sound Control 6SX added pre-amp would help with the SQ?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

No.