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<blockquote data-quote="Wonderbread" data-source="post: 73200" data-attributes="member: 541455"><a href="http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/caraudio.htm" target="_blank">http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/caraudio.htm</a>Amplifier Gain Controls:Contrary to popular belief, an amplifiers gain control does not determine the maximum power that an amplifier can produce. As long as the preamp/drive signal has sufficient level, the amplifier will produce its maximum power output level. The gain controls are used to match the amplifer&#039;s gain to the gain of the other amplifiers in the system (in the case of a multi-amp system). The gain controls also allow you to match the amplifier(s) to the head unit. Not all head units have the same maximum preamp output voltage. Some head units are capable of producing 9 vrms out while others are only capable of 1.5 vrms out.Please note that a head unit will reach its maximum output level (clipping) well before the volume control reaches the upper end of its range (usually at a point of 85-90% of its maximum range). This is especially true of tape decks, not because the audio section is of lesser quality but because some tapes are recorded at lower levels than others and the manufacturer must design the deck to be able to produce a sufficient output level with virtually any tape.Basically, a gain jsut matches the sensitivity of the SIGNAL, so basically, the better the HU, (the higehr the HU voltage) the lower your ghain ahs to be set.the amp always puts out full power... its just not getting enough signal to make SOUND</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Wonderbread, post: 73200, member: 541455"] [URL="http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/caraudio.htm"]http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/caraudio.htm[/URL] Amplifier Gain Controls: Contrary to popular belief, an amplifiers gain control does not determine the maximum power that an amplifier can produce. As long as the preamp/drive signal has sufficient level, the amplifier will produce its maximum power output level. The gain controls are used to match the amplifer's gain to the gain of the other amplifiers in the system (in the case of a multi-amp system). The gain controls also allow you to match the amplifier(s) to the head unit. Not all head units have the same maximum preamp output voltage. Some head units are capable of producing 9 vrms out while others are only capable of 1.5 vrms out. Please note that a head unit will reach its maximum output level (clipping) well before the volume control reaches the upper end of its range (usually at a point of 85-90% of its maximum range). This is especially true of tape decks, not because the audio section is of lesser quality but because some tapes are recorded at lower levels than others and the manufacturer must design the deck to be able to produce a sufficient output level with virtually any tape. Basically, a gain jsut matches the sensitivity of the SIGNAL, so basically, the better the HU, (the higehr the HU voltage) the lower your ghain ahs to be set. the amp always puts out full power... its just not getting enough signal to make SOUND [/QUOTE]

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