Preamp Voltage
08-08-2006, 08:40 PM
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Preamp Voltage
I've been thinking about getting the Alpine W200, but I'm worried about the preamp voltage. I saw that it only has 2v preamp compared to the eclipse units that have have 5v preamp. I've been told that preamp voltage is a big part of having good bass. My last HU was 5v and it hit hard with my setup so Im sceptical about getting a 2v HU.
Does the preamp voltage really matter?
Does the preamp voltage really matter?
08-09-2006, 08:39 AM
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But, you can get what is called a line driver and that will pump up the voltage way up. I have one on a HU that runs at 2 volts and i have it cranked up to i think its about 6 volts. It looks like an amp and wiring it is similar, power, ground, remote on, but all you have is RCA connections. I like it and its nice since most GPS and "screened" units only have about 2 or 3 volts, its noce to have.
08-09-2006, 09:34 AM
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If you like the unit, get a line driver ... you'll be fine.
You pre-out voltage is not the be-all end-all that every clown in car audio makes it out to be
You pre-out voltage is not the be-all end-all that every clown in car audio makes it out to be
08-09-2006, 11:08 AM
#7
So what is the function of the gain control on your amplifier again?
The only advantage I can see with a higher pre-amp voltage is signal to noise ratio which ought to be really addressed from the other end removing the noise rather than increasing the signal.
When you start your car signal to noise ratio tends to drop from 60-90 dB down to about 20 dB anyways as my Z has three hundred rather loud ponies under the hood which contribute lots of "noise" to the mix. Once the wheels start moving add another 6-10 dB worth of noise. At highway speeds the wind noise adds another 10 or more dB worth of noise.
Sounds like an interesting project experiment for someone with an accustic spectrum analyzer to preform.
The only advantage I can see with a higher pre-amp voltage is signal to noise ratio which ought to be really addressed from the other end removing the noise rather than increasing the signal.
When you start your car signal to noise ratio tends to drop from 60-90 dB down to about 20 dB anyways as my Z has three hundred rather loud ponies under the hood which contribute lots of "noise" to the mix. Once the wheels start moving add another 6-10 dB worth of noise. At highway speeds the wind noise adds another 10 or more dB worth of noise.
Sounds like an interesting project experiment for someone with an accustic spectrum analyzer to preform.
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08-09-2006, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul350Z
So what is the function of the gain control on your amplifier again?
The only advantage I can see with a higher pre-amp voltage is signal to noise ratio which ought to be really addressed from the other end removing the noise rather than increasing the signal.
When you start your car signal to noise ratio tends to drop from 60-90 dB down to about 20 dB anyways as my Z has three hundred rather loud ponies under the hood which contribute lots of "noise" to the mix. Once the wheels start moving add another 6-10 dB worth of noise. At highway speeds the wind noise adds another 10 or more dB worth of noise.
Sounds like an interesting project experiment for someone with an accustic spectrum analyzer to preform.
The only advantage I can see with a higher pre-amp voltage is signal to noise ratio which ought to be really addressed from the other end removing the noise rather than increasing the signal.
When you start your car signal to noise ratio tends to drop from 60-90 dB down to about 20 dB anyways as my Z has three hundred rather loud ponies under the hood which contribute lots of "noise" to the mix. Once the wheels start moving add another 6-10 dB worth of noise. At highway speeds the wind noise adds another 10 or more dB worth of noise.
Sounds like an interesting project experiment for someone with an accustic spectrum analyzer to preform.
08-09-2006, 11:30 AM
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Thanks for the help.
I'm going to look into line drivers a little, but at this point I'm definately leaning towards the Eclipse and maybe the Pioneer HU's.
I'm going to look into line drivers a little, but at this point I'm definately leaning towards the Eclipse and maybe the Pioneer HU's.
08-09-2006, 11:36 AM
#10
notice almost all if not all the eclipse units have 5v preout? why? they are concerned about getting the best overall output from their systems. why in the world would alpine skimp on this? makes no sense to me. seems as though they are more concerned about making everything look pretty instead of worrying about sound quality.
08-09-2006, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Nexx
notice almost all if not all the eclipse units have 5v preout? why? they are concerned about getting the best overall output from their systems. why in the world would alpine skimp on this? makes no sense to me. seems as though they are more concerned about making everything look pretty instead of worrying about sound quality.
Point is .. they made a good system ... and the pre-out voltage is more than adequate for 99% of listening. If you do you critical stereo listening in parked car .. well ... you got more issues than I'd care to get into. $1000 in a home can outperform $15,000 in a car.
08-10-2006, 11:51 AM
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Can you tell difference betwwen theses two?
DEH-P780MP DEH-P680MP
Preout Voltage & Impedance Hi-Volt (5V), 100 ohm Hi-Volt (4V), 100 Ohm
5V one is $100 more.. is this worth it?
DEH-P780MP DEH-P680MP
Preout Voltage & Impedance Hi-Volt (5V), 100 ohm Hi-Volt (4V), 100 Ohm
5V one is $100 more.. is this worth it?
08-10-2006, 12:13 PM
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The 7xxx series of Pioneer also offers more tuning options as well as a different display .. that is where your money goes.
No, you can't hear a difference
No, you can't hear a difference
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