2. amps-preamps
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Total System Gain Question

I am considering an amp with 25dB of gain and 575mV input sensitivity for rated minimum output, and considering a preamp with 18dB of gain. So total system gain would be 43dB. My speakers are 88dB efficient.

Is too much gain for a 2V line level DAC source? I don’t know what the input sensitivity of the preamp is. I worry I’ll be stuck in the bottom (non-linear) portion of the volume pot due to the total gain ...

I don’t have a feel for this since I’d been using an integrated amp forever.
greg7
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,751 posts
 
@pragmasi,
+1
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 
I may be confused but if your pre-amp can put out 575mv, the amp will be at full rated power. I don't think it matters what the gain stages are. 
chilli42
107 posts
 
I had a gain matching problem between amp and preamp in my system (Pass Lab XA60.8 and AR Ref 6).  Added to this my speakers are 106 sensitivity.  Could not take the preamp volume past 7 (out of 100), it was too loud.  Loads of background noise.  Tried a set of Rothwell attenuators between preamp and amp.  Problem solved.  I don’t know if you will have a problem.  Many in this forum more expert than myself.  What I can assure you is that you can fix that problem for all of $25 (as I recall).
fatdaddy2
368 posts
 
Just plug it in, turn the preamp up to max, wait 5 minutes, and see if you have any hearing or speakers left.  Geesh!  (The things some folks stress about!)
ibmjunkman's avatar
ibmjunkman
230 posts
 
Just as long as something in the chain goes to 11.
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