4 replies to this topic

[monoblok]

Hiya all folks,

I'm about to Install my Soundstream Ref 604, and I have i very small concern.

I know that the output of my Head unit is rated at a max 5V Output, which I wouldn't worry about generally, except that the amp's Input is rated at 0.5-2.5V

Now this may end up being a noob question, but will this 'max 5V output' voltage do any harm to the amp, or just give ma a 'cleaner' sound due to not having to max out the head unit to get max power from the amp?

Does this make sense? I may be building the system to be more SQ oriented, but I do like the level at the ear bleeding loud levels from more than time to time. So i don't want to setting my Front stage up for smokey death.

Thanks all!

[Fever.tapaz]

It basically will push more sound output through the RCA's but you will have to tune your amp so it doesn't clip..

Basically in SPL talk if your volume is at lets say 20 on the 5v.. on a normal HU it will be like 35 or 40.. so more power and more clearer sound yes.. but again watch your amps.. it may sometimes go in Protection mode if not tuned properly

[TMM]

It'll work fine, it's the same as if you had a '5v' capable amp and set the gain to '2.5v'. Yes it is possible that the amp will reach clipping before the headunit volume is maxxed out. As long as you don't make a habit of clipping the hell out of it for extended periods (it would be audible and sound terrible) then the amp should be fine.

The difference between 2.5v and 5v is diddly squat anyway because music is such a dynamic signal - at normal listening levels the signal is in the millivolt range. 5v vs 2.5v would equate to only a few increments of the volume dial (say 45 vs. 50). Being able to drive a higher voltage signal from the headunit to the amp is better in theory because any noise induced in the cables is less significant in comparison to the signal, so your signal to noise ratio is better. That said it is only theoretically better, and quite often headunits generate their own background noise near the top end of the volume dial so you are better off tuning the system to max out at a lower volume number. Some amps benefit from higher voltage signal because they have problems with background hiss as you increase the gain. It really just depends.

My bet is that there won't be any appreciable difference in sound quality.

Edited by TMM, 28 June 2012 - 03:42 AM.

[Big_Valven]

A 5v pre-out voltage is no problem to an amplifier which is nominally rated with a lower input voltage. Just adjust your amplifier gains as per tutorials and use it normally.

[monoblok]

Hi all, thanks for the input ..... (no, did I just say that... groan...)

My gut feeling was pretty much in line whit you guys, so i'll keep an eye on things.

On this front, I just got the report back from Danny of Resolution, and the little blue beastie is all set to go, with the big thumbs up on all fronts, and he has adjusted the input rating to suit the HU output rating (which I double checked to-nite) and found that the output RCA voltage is only 4V, so I'm doubly safe now! He is even check it over in the set-up that I'll run it and will triple check the output and x-over to ensure that it's running sweet-as!! Now that's what I call service!!

Thanks again all!
Owen