Preamp Voltage

[boomzabit 10+ year member]

Can anyone explain to me preamp voltage? Will I noticed a difference in sound between 1 volt.

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[fly_marlin]

Can anyone explain to me preamp voltage? Will I noticed a difference in sound between 1 volt.

Probably not. Only 1v difference is between 4V and 5V decks. This comes into play during the pre-amplification process and is directly impacted by how you set the gains on your amp. The lower the voltage on the deck, the higher you have to set the gain...essentially telling the amp how much it needs to strengthen the signal before amplifying it.

Most amps can make full power even with an input signal way below 2V, however, the end result may not be the best. 4V is very good and ample for pretty much any application. For pure SQ applications, I wouldn't mess with a 2V deck. Will you hear a difference going from a 2V deck to a 4V deck? Really depends on the rest of your equipment. Hifi equipment can really make every drawback in the setup stand out like a sore thumb.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Probably not. Only 1v difference is between 4V and 5V decks. This comes into play during the pre-amplification process and is directly impacted by how you set the gains on your amp. The lower the voltage on the deck, the higher you have to set the gain...essentially telling the amp how much it needs to strengthen the signal before amplifying it.
Most amps can make full power even with an input signal way below 2V, however, the end result may not be the best. 4V is very good and ample for pretty much any application. For pure SQ applications, I wouldn't mess with a 2V deck. Will you hear a difference going from a 2V deck to a 4V deck? Really depends on the rest of your equipment. Hifi equipment can really make every drawback in the setup stand out like a sore thumb.

MS-8 is 2.8v

 

[fly_marlin]

MS-8 is 2.8v

What's the reasoning behind that?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

What's the reasoning behind that?

Dont know but it works.

 

[fly_marlin]

Dont know but it works.

Interesting. I have read that 2V is good enough, but I don't get the whole picture yet. I'll read up. Either way, price wise, 4V decks are abundant and can be had cheap.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Interesting. I have read that 2V is good enough, but I don't get the whole picture yet. I'll read up. Either way, price wise, 4V decks are abundant and can be had cheap.

It was more important back in the day I think. Now you can get good results using high levels.

 

[fly_marlin]

I don't fully understand how pre-amp stuff works, but after reading a few threads, higher output voltage results in better signal-to-noise ratio. Once you start setting the gain higher, both signal and introduced noise are boosted, both of which the amp then amplifies. If you send a higher voltage signal initially, you can set the gain lower and the amp will not have to boost it as much, so when comes time to actually amplify the signal, you're amplifying less noise. It doesn't totally make sense to me, but that's what the consensus seems to be.

I also wonder this. Let's say you're all digital into the DSP, then analog from DSP to amps...how much less noise are you introducing than using high or low into DSP? Btw do any amps accept digital inputs?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Probably a lot of snake oil also.

Oh it got louder going from 2 to 4v. But they never reset the gains.

No crap

 

[fly_marlin]

Probably a lot of snake oil also.
Oh it got louder going from 2 to 4v. But they never reset the gains.

No crap

Sorry, what?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Sorry, what?

Sorry im half asleep

People go from 2v to 4v without backing gains down and talk about they are so much louder. Most people

 

[boomzabit 10+ year member]

I don't fully understand how pre-amp stuff works, but after reading a few threads, higher output voltage results in better signal-to-noise ratio. Once you start setting the gain higher, both signal and introduced noise are boosted, both of which the amp then amplifies. If you send a higher voltage signal initially, you can set the gain lower and the amp will not have to boost it as much, so when comes time to actually amplify the signal, you're amplifying less noise. It doesn't totally make sense to me, but that's what the consensus seems to be.

This makes sense to me.

I bought a new car to act as a DD. I am looking at new Double Dins. Kind of leaning toward the new Kenwood line. I wasnt sure if its worth it to pay the extra for a 5 volt reciever over a 4 volt. I should be more concerned with what deck is more Android compatible..

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Sorry im half asleep
People go from 2v to 4v without backing gains down and talk about they are so much louder. Most people

are they retarded?