volts?

[hdj20 10+ year member]

what do the output volts do. what is better about having more volts?

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[Simek4life 10+ year member]

volts * amps = watts

 

[chevy_man 10+ year member]

THEORETICALLY: the more volts on the pre-out, the less you have to amplify the signal to get the same output voltage from your amp.

In the real world, you'll be able to run your amp gains lower, but other than that there is no real difference if you have your amps tuned correctly.

but more is supposedly better and everybody will tell you so.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

THEORETICALLY: the more volts on the pre-out, the less you have to amplify the signal to get the same output voltage from your amp.
In the real world, you'll be able to run your amp gains lower, but other than that there is no real difference if you have your amps tuned correctly.

but more is supposedly better and everybody will tell you so.

x2

Pre-Out Volts are supposed to send a stronger system helping your amp work less. But there's really no difference other than lower gain settings.

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Higher preamp voltage = lower noise floor.

 

[aquafbody 10+ year member]

With that whole thing with pre-amp voltage, a lot of people are running line drivers myself being one and yeah no real diff in sound but you do get a little more out of the higher voltage, I'm running line drivers simpley to keep my gains down in hopes of getting longevity out of my amps. (there mounted on back of rear seat behind box not a ton of cool air especally on there sides like they are). Over kill maby but i don't care my car my crap.

 

[Xprime4 10+ year member]

it won't change a damp thing on the amplifier lifetime. Yeah lower noise (alternator whine).

I wouldn't buy an hu with a 2v output tough...

 

[simpsonbuck 10+ year member]

I wouldn't put a ton of emphasis on pre-out voltage. It may state that it is 5v or 4v and it may see 80% of that.

My h/u is 5v outs and I doubt my amp sees that.

 

[aquafbody 10+ year member]

it won't change a damp thing on the amplifier lifetime. Yeah lower noise (alternator whine).
I wouldn't buy an hu with a 2v output tough...

Really? huh... I figuredit would keep them mildly cooler not being up so high

 

[allstarfb7 10+ year member]

so in regards to audio Hu what are u looking for that makes the HU so good? like what settings, etc.?

 

[simpsonbuck 10+ year member]

Easy to navigate, high s/n ration, then maybe cosmetics.

I may be a sucker, but I only buy Pioneer.

 

[aquafbody 10+ year member]

Easy to navigate, high s/n ration, then maybe cosmetics.
I may be a sucker, but I only buy Pioneer.

I'm with you

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2634618

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

so in regards to audio Hu what are u looking for that makes the HU so good? like what settings, etc.?

I'm looking for flexible processing capability (crossovers, EQs, preferably adjustable EQs for each channel), high quality DACs, easy to navigate screens.

Preout voltage or even S/N ratio are pretty far down on my list...most of the head units that fufill those previous specs already have a S/N ratio good enough to be inaudible with CDs, even if there was no road noise //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

The amplifier will draw exactly the same amount of current and output the same amount of power if you have the input gain properly set for the line level voltage...no matter where that position may be. Doesn't "work" any less.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

I only buy old-school eclipse units...8V pre-outs FTW. I have the gains on my amp turned all the way down, and the signal is crystal clear.

 

[HCCA 10+ year member]

As for the output voltage.... Loud is not as much a priority, as SQ. You are correct that output voltage doesn't increase sound quaility...in, and of itself. HOWEVER...2V outputs are derived from the car's 12v supply, which itself varies with the alt/battery/load. 4V,5V,8V outputs, use switching power supplies. These switching power supplies use a constant rail voltage to derive the higher output voltages. In short, they have clean output up to the rated voltage. 2V units will ALL clip the output signal near full volume....some as much as 20%!! Don't know about the rest of you, but I could do without unnecessary clipping induced into an otherwise "clean" system. Second, the larger the "clean" signal voltage to the amp (or other downstream component), the less noise you will pick up at the downstream gains. Doesn't matter if I can "match" the gains to the incoming signal, or not!! Your preAMP stage AMPLIFIES the incoming signal, AND any noise that came along for the ride.

Small amount? Maybe. But, all vehicles are different. What might be nothing for one vehicle, might be intolerable on another. If nothing else, I'll just take the 4V output for the lack of clipped signal at full volume.