lagexe Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 IF you are gonna post, please read everything. (so you don't answer questions I already know the answer to ) Also, I'm looking for 'facts', not; theories, opinions, or hearsay. Since I have joined this forum I have learned what these numbers on my amp's level/gain mean. Now, I'm wanting to look a little deeper. I have my amp's Gain @2Volts, or what I think is 2Volts, I don't have any tools and the only indicators are the min/max. Even though my amp needs to be at 2Volts to give me the full RMS, I would think every little turn adds distortion even if I can't hear it. So... If I got a 6V (my amps max) head-unit, would that give me better sound quality than my current 2V head-unit? Obviously I mean: 6V-HU @ 6V on amp vs 2V-HU @ 2V on amp Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamHT Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 It may take some time, but search my content. If when I get home not answered, I'll post from a laptop. Quote Tell me...does this smell like chloroform to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifted_silverado Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 The HU is pre-amp voltage so it amplifies its own current to the amp, if you have 6v you dont have to turn the volume as high as you would a 2v HU. The only way to truely know whether you distort past 2v on the amplifier gain is a DD-1 or O-scope Quote Everythings in the attic or garage since the truck was sold last year. New build should be coming soon in a dodge cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lagexe Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) It may take some time, but search my content. If when I get home not answered, I'll post from a laptop. Thanks, but what exactly do I search for? preout, gain, level? I'm not being a smart-ass, it's just reads that way. Edited January 14, 2012 by lagexe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodzyspl Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 i got a huge increase in SQ when i upgraded. and nearly 1.5db louder. Quote AUSTRALIA do i need say more? HU: some crap pionee AMP: dc 9k @ 18v SUB: 4 elevation audio sqx 12" Battery: 2 neuton power 8200d burp setup for fun 152's soon to come: rebuilt soundstream xxx (2 18" OR 3 15" wall) Bunch speakers, more batts and new HU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamHT Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 No worries. I think gain...I tried but not having much luck on my mobile. Quote Tell me...does this smell like chloroform to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autruche Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Let's see... This should help you; Head unit KnowledgeQ: Does Pre-Amp RCA voltage make a difference? Like is 4 volt better than 2 volt? A: It's kinda about noise rejection... mostly just for induced noise from the RCAs. Say you're feeding an amp that makes 30v wide open with a 1v signal. The signal has to be 'multiplied' (which is actually what gain is measured in) 30 times. If you have 100mV of induced noise then when you multiply that 30 times you'll get 3v of noise on your output. If you feed the same amp with a 6v signal and adjust the gain accordingly then it only has to multiply the input 5 times to reach full output. So your 100mV of noise only turns into 0.5v at the outputs... Long story short: Higher Pre-out voltage, the cleaner it will sound. Quote Need Test Tones/Sine Waves? Click Here!My Saab 9000 build1993 Saab 9000 Aero 5spdPioneer - Zapco - Hifonics - Sundown Audio - O2 Audio - RE AudioJust Say No To Rear SpeakersJust Say No To CCA WireReal Men Drive StickHit me up on Facebook, if you want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) technically, yes the amp would be having to work less and not have to amplify the sound as much. but would you actually hear a difference? most likely not. imo i would not buy a hu solely around having 6v pre outs. honestly the brand/ quality will make much more of a difference then the pre outs. Edited January 14, 2012 by new guy Quote *current* 1991 honda crx si 2 skar audio 12s pioneer 6.5s dual 400 watt amp audio technix db 1/0 wiring kit. dual head unit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lagexe Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 The HU is pre-amp voltage so it amplifies its own current to the amp, if you have 6v you dont have to turn the volume as high as you would a 2v HU. The only way to truely know whether you distort past 2v on the amplifier gain is a DD-1 or O-scope I understand when distrotion comes into the sound. My question is if 6Volt@6Volt would be cleaner that 2Volts@2Volts? 6Volts needs very little to make sound 2Volts needs a good bit of the sound amplified, but does that offer more distortion than 6Volt@6Volts? It's kind of hard to explain my question, so I hope you guys understand what I'm asking. I'm not asking: When does distortion come into the sound? What level does distortion come into the sound? ----- I am asking: Is 6Volts cleaner, because it doesn't need as much amplifying as 2Volts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lagexe Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) A bunch of you answered my questions while I was typing a response. Thank you so much for clearing things up. Some answers conflicted others, but I guess I'll form my own opinion when I get the head unit. Thanks all! Edited January 14, 2012 by lagexe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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