Head unit, pre-out voltage, common ?s

[gadgeteer123 21]

I want to know in very good detail, on what the advantage is in the difference from a 3v pre--out to a 5v pre-out?? i'm just curious.

[The enD 467]

I've heard the higher, the better the quality from the amp is.

[gadgeteer123 21]

Thanks for your response, I would like something in great possibly overkill detail

[clownin27 0]

I've heard the higher, the better the quality from the amp is. "

I agree with The end, But i think hes asking would you hear a diffrence between the two.

[CrazyKenKid 64]

i have heard that the higher the voltage on the preout rca is the LOW you set your gain on the amplier, thus meaning the amp has to work a lot less harder.

BUT also keep in mind if you EVER measure your voltage at the rca it will ALWAYS be super low. like my h/u is rated at 5volts and i only see around 1.5volts.

also something else i have heard is the higher the voltage the better the sound sq will be b/c the higher voltage resists noise... but i am 100% sure on that stuff it is jsut what i have heard.

BUT from my own experience going from a 2v to a 6v and then back to 5v from 2v to 6v i noticed a difference then from 6v-5v i didn't hear anything dramatic!

so i hope that helps! and i am sure someone will be on here soon to bash what i have said! ;o!

[matt cusack 0]

Dont mean to be a thread robber but my h/u is 2.5 volts. i was tuning my amp and when i put the pre out on the amp to 9 volts my subs hit harder ( i dont keep it there its set at 2.5 now. was just experimenting) than when it is set at the recommended 2.5. could this possibly screw my equipment up? ( I believe i know the answer just interested in you all's professional thoughts)

Thanks,

Matt Cusack

[///M5 2,833]

I want to know in very good detail, on what the advantage is in the difference from a 3v pre--out to a 5v pre-out?? i'm just curious.

There is NO advantage, just a marketing gimic.

*as long as your amplifier can compensate, but conveniently any amplifier worth a shit takes this into account.

The net result is that the ONLY difference is that you have to turn the gain knob up a teeny little bit when going to a h/u that has a lower output. I'll also add that most headunits have a hard time hitting their advertised voltage. Again 100% marketing nonsense. Not a spec to worry about.

[///M5 2,833]

BUT from my own experience going from a 2v to a 6v and then back to 5v from 2v to 6v i noticed a difference then from 6v-5v i didn't hear anything dramatic!

If you noticed anything then you had the rest of your system setup wrong.

There will be NO SQ difference, not even close.

[slim2fattycake 85]

so funny.

[shizzzon 461]

while the latter has been discussed, how about shedding some light on too much voltage.

It's been know to fry the input section on amps(or at least that's the excuses i've heard) from too much voltage in on the signal.

Some of these cheaper amps may have a max input level of only 4v, some even LESS!

So what happens when a user hooks up one of these amps to an 8 or 9v preout and cranks his gain on the amp thinkin it's a volume knob?

I'm pretty sure sustained use of that will kill the input section.

Same scenario as people using 13v line drivers and crankin them things way up and the gain on the amps as well when there's no way it can handle that input.

I'm sure it's somewhat hard to do, to kill an amp by doin that, just don't know how long it would take.

Of course, hopefully someone should tell by ear that something doesnt sound right since the output sound would sound insanely horrible.

[clownin27 0]

So what is the purpose of a line driver? i have never used one. Isnt 2.5 volts low for a good head unit?

[shizzzon 461]

from what we've debated here before in past threads, line drivers are pointless, probably another hype product to buy for no reason.

Increasing input voltage will require less gain on the amp, less input voltage will require more gain on the amp.

With line drivers being no good, i guess that's why 12v quarterbacks and short receivers never made it to car audio

[clownin27 0]

Ok, thanks like i said i have never used one but the kid down the street from me has one. He swears by it, he says "its the hear of his stereo". I didnt hear any diffrence in the bass or sq wise. Thank for clearing it up for me shizzon

[The enD 467]

I want to know in very good detail, on what the advantage is in the difference from a 3v pre--out to a 5v pre-out?? i'm just curious.

There is NO advantage, just a marketing gimic.

Well... another myth busted. Good info. Thank you.

[gadgeteer123 21]

Just a thought, But if you had a higher voltage, you then as we all know, have the gain turned down more, which would give less room for noticeable noise picked up by the amp??

[CrazyKenKid 64]

BUT from my own experience going from a 2v to a 6v and then back to 5v from 2v to 6v i noticed a difference then from 6v-5v i didn't hear anything dramatic!

If you noticed anything then you had the rest of your system setup wrong.

There will be NO SQ difference, not even close.

actaully come to think of it was most likey setup wrong as it was my first h/u and didn't know to much about any of the settings. but when i get my next h/u a poineer 880phr i was shown how to operate it and i gues that contributed to why i thought my pre-amp volts= better!

but thanks for setting me straight on this!