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Old May 21, 2009 | 02:02 PM
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Default amp gain/settings question

Can someone please give an accurate description off what exactly the gain **** on an amp does. I hear a lot of people say its simply a volume **** where others say that that a false description.

1) If an amp puts out 600w rms and a sub takes 600w rms should the gain be maxed?
2) If the gain is at 50% is the amp only going to be able to put out 50% of its rms power?
3) What exactly does turning the gain up/down do?
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Old May 21, 2009 | 05:38 PM
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Maybe this will help?

http://www.installer.com/tech/gains.html
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Old May 21, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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cliff notes: turn it up and down at all levels, listen to it, find what sounds best to you.

my sub hits noticeably harder as i turn the gain up.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 11:01 PM
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my gains on every amp is 0 and its still more than i can take at wide open


its all about how you set everything up

the less gain the less distortion and heat
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Old May 22, 2009 | 03:38 AM
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The best explanation that I have found helps many people.....

http://www.bcae1.com/gaincon2.htm
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Old May 22, 2009 | 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by adamtaylorpcb
my gains on every amp is 0 and its still more than i can take at wide open


its all about how you set everything up

the less gain the less distortion and heat
Correct. Adjustable output. Can not exceed maximum output. Deceasing output may decrease distortion.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 06:33 AM
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with a strong signal an amp needs no gain.... thats why god made line drivers and eq's with adjustable output levels
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Old May 22, 2009 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by seank426
Can someone please give an accurate description off what exactly the gain **** on an amp does. I hear a lot of people say its simply a volume **** where others say that that a false description.

1) If an amp puts out 600w rms and a sub takes 600w rms should the gain be maxed?
2) If the gain is at 50% is the amp only going to be able to put out 50% of its rms power?
3) What exactly does turning the gain up/down do?
the gain is to create balance over other amps and components..

turn your gains down... find the desired listening volume on your radio... then adjust each amp gain accordingly to your desired listening pleasure..

if you have an amp for your components and an amp for your sub.. depending on your type of music you listen to.. one amp may need to be higher than the other.. thats where the gain comes in
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Old May 22, 2009 | 06:26 PM
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Gain helps compensate the low output level of your head unit. Head units that output signal greater than 2V peak typically don't need the gain set very high on your amplifier. Whatever it is, you shouldn't run your amp with gain setting maxed out. It can overheat and damage your amp even if you're not anything through it. It doesn't mean your amp will run at its full potential with maximum gain, but you are more than likely to distort the input signal to the amp. Some label it sensitivity.

The wattage is your amp's efficient load driving potential given a known load (1, 2, 4, 8 ohm). It's like the capacity of a PC power supply.
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