Does using XLR cables (double voltage output) mean I can use lower powered amplifiers?


Hi

Does using XLR cables (at 4V output from most dacs) vs RCA cables (with 2V output) mean that I have doubled the gain hence I only need half the power from amplifiers?

Just as a background I am looking for tube amplifers which typically are less powerful compared to solid state amplifiers. So I was wondering if using XLR connection rather than RCA mean that I can venture into lower powered amplifiers?

Or does the voltage input from the dac not matter/affect the power that a amplifier needs to drive the speakers?

Thanks!

Regards
Ben
thegreenman

Showing 1 response by twoleftears

@thegreenman    Amplifiers have both gain (usually fixed for a given amp) and a power output measured in watts.  It's important to understand the difference.  Check on-line for some articles.

What I'm interested in is a simply different but related question.  If you are using a high-gain preamp into a lower gain amp (e.g. the Benchmark on its medium or low settings), will the preamp impart more of its signature to the signal than with a more conventional set-up?  Or will that make no difference?