Using a symmetry in my system.

[Pl8er 5,000+ posts]

Just got a symmetry with the 28band card on ebay for 200 shipped. I've never used a pre-amp in my system before and I had it do the adjusting of the sound levels for me.

Here is my question. It told me to turn my gains all the way off on both of my amps and never told me to turn them back off, it is as loud as it was before (just much MUCH cleaner sounding) so should I leave the gains off now? Does the pre-amp take the place of the gains on the amp?

Thanks!

Sorry if this is a noob question.

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[Pl8er 5,000+ posts]

Anyone? I'm just curious if I should turn up my gains and turn down my pre-amp (rf symmetry) or if leaving the gains on the amp off but keeping the preamp up is the way to go?

Thanks

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

You already answered your own question;

it is as loud as it was before (just much MUCH cleaner sounding)

In theory, you want the gain in your system as early as possible. This will provide you with the best signal to noise ratio for the system (there are exceptions to the rule, but it varies by specific equipment).

From what you've mentioned, there's no reason to change anything.

 

[Pl8er 5,000+ posts]

I guess what I'm asking is that I know that gains set too high on an amp will damage or blow the speakers will having the gain set too high on the pre-amp do the same? Currently the pre-amp goes from 0 to I believe 300. I have it at 212 with gains on the amps at 0. At 21 on my clarion headunit (vrx935vd) the gauge on the symmetry doesn't move (red I assume would be clipping) so I am ok?

I appreciate you replying back. It seems that either my questions are not in the norm of will the type R hit 170 or I ask the wrong way ;P and no one seems to reply.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I guess what I'm asking is that I know that gains set too high on an amp will damage or blow the speakers will having the gain set too high on the pre-amp do the same? Currently the pre-amp goes from 0 to I believe 300. I have it at 212 with gains on the amps at 0. At 21 on my clarion headunit (vrx935vd) the gauge on the symmetry doesn't move (red I assume would be clipping) so I am ok?
I appreciate you replying back. It seems that either my questions are not in the norm of will the type R hit 170 or I ask the wrong way ;P and no one seems to reply.

Only if it's set to a level that causes the outputs of the preamp to clip.

You don't want to clip the preamp either.

 

[Pl8er 5,000+ posts]

so as long as the symmetry isn't showing in the red (which it barely even moves in green) then I am ok?

Thanks again.