4 volt preamp out compared to a 2 volt preamp out, really a difference?

Question

I've always had 2 volt alpines, i am thinking of giving a 4 volt version a try, but it does cost more, is it worth it? I really like the display on the 4 volt version, but i cant bring myself to spend a extra $100 buks for that alone, the only other major dif i see is the 4v vs 2v.

2 volt - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-l783UqBKdHk/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9883

4 volt - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-l783UqBKdHk/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9885

my amps
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008,020,016&sspagename=STRK%3AMERFB%3AIID&viewitem=&item=220094567097&rd=1&rd=1

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-l783UqBKdHk/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=500MRPM650

Sparky, thats what i thought, hence why they do not show the "input voltage" as a spec. But does the 4 volts "really" improove signal quality?

Answer 1

Having a higher voltage feeding the amplifier means that you can reduce the gain on the amp. The advantage to reducing the gain is that any noise that gets picked up on the signal cables is reduced at the same time. So in theory a higher pre-out voltage will result in less noise. In practice you'd probably have a hard time hearing the difference on most systems.

I'd note that in Home Audio systems, the voltage used for low-level connections is standardized at a much lower voltage than typically used in car audio. You don't see many people in that field calling for higher output voltages to improve sound quality.

Answer 2

RE:
4 volt preamp out compared to a 2 volt preamp out, really a difference?
I've always had 2 volt alpines, i am thinking of giving a 4 volt version a try, but it does cost more, is it worth it? I really like the display on the 4 volt version, but i cant bring myself to spend a extra $100 buks for that alone, the only other major dif i see is the 4v vs 2v.

2 volt -...

Answer 3

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Well, the new line level output will send a higher level signal to the amplifier input (the same as turning up the volume on the receiver) The Amplifier will then amplify the higher level input to a higher level output than before (even with all the settings the same) so, potentially you could have burned up a voice-coil. You nearly doubled the input voltage, which would likely double the output voltage (assuming you amp is big enough) or else you would have serious clipping. Incidentally, the clipping is a bigger problem for the speakers than too much power. A clipped signal sends straight DC to your speakers and will blow them in a matter of seconds if the signal is clipped badly enough. In order to avoid this in the future, you should turn your amplifier input gain down all the way when adding new components to the signal path. Start off at a nice low volume and then tune everything up from there.

Answer 4

Preamp Voltage

Answer 5

Well I see Electhro is at it again with his bogus answers. OY!

ANY amp can surely handle a 4v input as this is EXACTLY what the gain is for. To match the signal volts to the amps inputs.

Answer 6

Before you decide first, make sure the amplifier your going to use allows 4 v of pre amp inputs, not all amps supports this feature.
But to anwser the question the sound quality will increase but is not like woooaaaa.....get the point?