Preamp Voltage

[Mark_A 10+ year member]

Newbie here looking for advise.

I'm getting ready to install an older (good) system in my truck. I have an older Alpine head unit (CDA 7930) and a newer Sony Head Unit (CDX GT400). The newer Sony has all the bells and whistles, but the preamp voltage is only 2 and the older Alpine has 4 volts preamp out.

Which one would be a better choice?

Thanks for helping out an old school audio nut.

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[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

which ever one has the features you like. preamp voltage is overrated. it's simply used for gain matching. also those preamps won't put out 2 or 4 volts rms anyways. a better indicater of rca's is low impedence

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

Honestly you wont notice much of a difference between the two. Higher preamp voltage is used to cut out noise that your amps might produce. It allows you to keep the gain lower so not to induce noise.

I say pick the one that has the features that you want.

 

[Mark_A 10+ year member]

Thanks ICE!!

Just the info I was looking for. When I bought the Alpine back in the mid 90's that was a selling point the sales guy was pushing on me was the preamp voltage.

 

[Mark_A 10+ year member]

Honestly you wont notice much of a difference between the two. Higher preamp voltage is used to cut out noise that your amps might produce. It allows you to keep the gain lower so not to induce noise.
I say pick the one that has the features that you want.

Thanks!!!

Like I said, I'm an old school guy and just dug out my "old" stuff to re-install.

Punch 45, Punch 150, Alpine 7930, MB Quart Components, 10" Punch DVC....yada..yada. This setup may not be the new flash, but it worked and sounded very good in my old truck.

 

[Badfastbusa 10+ year member]

thats not a bad setup, those old punch amps would definately do the job.

 

[Mark_A 10+ year member]

thats not a bad setup, those old punch amps would definately do the job.

I agree, I don't think I would buy new Fosgate....but the old stuff rocks, both the 45 and 150 were bought in the late 80's and early 90's.

Thanks!!

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

I agree, I don't think I would buy new Fosgate....but the old stuff rocks, both the 45 and 150 were bought in the late 80's and early 90's.
Thanks!!

there newer power series amps are beasts. i think the T1001 does on average 1400 watts rms

 

[Mark_A 10+ year member]

there newer power series amps are beasts. i think the T1001 does on average 1400 watts rms

Hmmmmmmm? Now ya got me lookin'!!!....lol