posted
Can a line driver increase SPL? Here might be a senario. (1) 1-1000 watt rms amp 1 Jvc 2v out deck 1-1500 rms sub
or (2) 1-1500 rms amp 1 Jvc 2v deck 1-1000rms sub
I don't understand why use a line driver when the amp picks up the slack. or does it?
-------------------- 09 World Finals Judge - Tulsa 08 World Finals Judge - Laughlin 07 World Finals Judge - San Mateo Team Treo www.myspace.com/boominaudio Posts: 3610 | From: Shows from 909 to 208 | Registered: Jan 2003
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i'm usin one now my deck is a 2v so the diff. is definitly heard so it will definitly give a cleaner signal so u don't have to run your amp high
Posts: 45 | From: AZ | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
A line driver won't change the max power that your amp can produce and therefore won't change your SPL.
Posts: 2575 | From: GA | Registered: May 1999
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quote:Originally posted by jc2: A line driver won't change the max power that your amp can produce and therefore won't change your SPL.
A line driver can however, increase the usable unclipped voltage from your source unit to drive your amplifier to its full output capacity with an unclipped signal in a properly set up system though. Many CD source units have a signifficant amount of distortion in the output section, and some of it is surprisingly low on the volume settings for a given unit. The line driver can take that voltage and increase it so that the amplifier reaches full power before you get into audible distortion from the source unit. In a case like that it appears that there is an audible increase in spl before audible distortion, which is true. But it is because of the unclipped signal sent to the amplifier, not anything which magically makes it perform better.
Posts: 279 | From: GA | Registered: Nov 2003
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quote:Originally posted by jc2: A line driver won't change the max power that your amp can produce and therefore won't change your SPL.
A line driver can however, increase the usable unclipped voltage from your source unit to drive your amplifier to its full output capacity with an unclipped signal in a properly set up system though. Many CD source units have a signifficant amount of distortion in the output section, and some of it is surprisingly low on the volume settings for a given unit. The line driver can take that voltage and increase it so that the amplifier reaches full power before you get into audible distortion from the source unit. In a case like that it appears that there is an audible increase in spl before audible distortion, which is true. But it is because of the unclipped signal sent to the amplifier, not anything which magically makes it perform better.
Yeah what he said
-------------------- Scott Van Riper Team Its Real http://www.kinetikpower.com http://www.180db.com 04' DB Drag finals Ex 3-4 169.2 3rd place 04' MECA World Finals 2nd place X2 170.9 04' IDBL World Finals 1st place Ultimate 3 173.4 05' DB Drag Finals ex 1 4th place 06' DB Drag Finals ex 2 2nd place 07' DB Drag Finals ex 2 3rd place 08' DB Drag Finals ex 2 3rd place (loudest losing score 177.3 db lol) Posts: 8956 | From: Morgantown WV | Registered: Apr 2001
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and still, the maximum output will then occur at a lower volume on the HU, which will mean less usable volume, and you will lose some ability to adjust the volume. this is assuming the gain is untouched after a line-driver is utilized
and a line-driver will increase the voltage, but also increase any distortion in the signal,
line-drivers are primarily used for when multiple amps are used with a single pair of inputs
ive noticed though, when using older lower-end HU's and newer equipment, newer amplifiers accept ever increasing input voltages, and ive noticed with my own experience, my sub amplifier accepts up to 8 volts RMS, and i must set the gain rather high.
-------------------- who says money can't buy happiness Posts: 14 | From: New York | Registered: Aug 2004
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The bottom line is that the more juice your amp sees from the Source-Unit/RCA's...the more clear and Dynamic the Music will be simply because your amp will have a reserve of juice from your Deck when the amp needs that extra signal DURING TRANSIENT MUSICAL PEAKS...
...A decent amount of juice to keep your amp and your ears happy is to double the voltage gain into the amp by a RATIO OF 2:1 (3:1 with a decent line driver)
EXAMPLE #1 : AMP'S FULL OUTPUT @ 2 Volts RCA INPUT.
DECK'S VOLTAGE OUTPUT @ 2 Volts.
---MAX SPL IS LOST BECAUSE AMP'S VOLTAGE INPUT IS NOT SUFFICIENT DURING PEAKS---DROP'S TO 1 VOLT.---
EXAMPLE #2 : AMP'S FULL OUPUT @ 2 Volt's RCA Input
DECKS VOLTAGE OUTPUT VIA LINE DRIVER @ 5 Volt's
---RCA OUPUT POWER IS DOUBLED @(4 VOLTS)---
-- This extra juice (2-4 Volt's) Act's like a CAPACITOR/RESERVOIR when there are EXTREME MUSICAL PEAKS IN THE SIGNAL--RESULTING IN INCREASED SPL AND DYNAMICS.
quote:Originally posted by shizzzon: So, ur saying its ok to have more voltage going into the amp than what it is rated for?
Never done it but cant it hurt an amp?
Not if done correctly and carefully and with the right amplifier in question. It's called "gain-overlap". I think the normally accepted ratio is 3:1. Arc Audio amps...(which are only rated to have an input sensitivity/voltage of 2.5 volts), are the perfect example of amps with 3:1 gain overlap acceptability. The way they..(Arc Audio) rate their amps's sensitivity is different from other amp manufacturers...(better IMO). Their amps can accept quite a bit more than it's rated input voltage safely.
Posts: 58 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2002
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WOW- We did some testing to achieve max spl with what I have. Ipod , Jvc cd player, memphis 500d, and a sub I busted out the dmm and got some results. One side of the rca and tested at the peak frequency and got 1.3v .
Would I benifit with a line driver? I know a bigger amp is needed-on my wish list
-------------------- 09 World Finals Judge - Tulsa 08 World Finals Judge - Laughlin 07 World Finals Judge - San Mateo Team Treo www.myspace.com/boominaudio Posts: 3610 | From: Shows from 909 to 208 | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:Originally posted by jc2: A line driver won't change the max power that your amp can produce and therefore won't change your SPL.
A line driver can however, increase the usable unclipped voltage from your source unit to drive your amplifier to its full output capacity with an unclipped signal in a properly set up system though. Many CD source units have a signifficant amount of distortion in the output section, and some of it is surprisingly low on the volume settings for a given unit. The line driver can take that voltage and increase it so that the amplifier reaches full power before you get into audible distortion from the source unit. In a case like that it appears that there is an audible increase in spl before audible distortion, which is true. But it is because of the unclipped signal sent to the amplifier, not anything which magically makes it perform better.
posted
after your system levels are set properally, if the noise floor is low enough so that you don't hear it then a line driver is completely pointless from a musical standpoint
also I've yet to use an amplifier that needed 2vrms to reach full output...chances are if you gained spl by using a line driver then your levels weren't set up correctly
Posts: 3421 | From: Owosso MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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quote:Originally posted by kan3: after your system levels are set properally, if the noise floor is low enough so that you don't hear it then a line driver is completely pointless from a musical standpoint
also I've yet to use an amplifier that needed 2vrms to reach full output...chances are if you gained spl by using a line driver then your levels weren't set up correctly
Nope wrong. Try again.
X
Posts: 426 | From: Edmonton, Alberta | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
One little perk of line drivers that I like is if you know your hz you can tweak it ever so slightly to give your amp the exact input voltage that it likes which you can find out from testing and tuning so you MAY gain a little bit depending on how lucky you are.
-------------------- Proud member of West Coast Extreme SPL Posts: 109 | From: Surrey, BC | Registered: May 2000
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quote:Originally posted by kan3: after your system levels are set properally, if the noise floor is low enough so that you don't hear it then a line driver is completely pointless from a musical standpoint
also I've yet to use an amplifier that needed 2vrms to reach full output...chances are if you gained spl by using a line driver then your levels weren't set up correctly
Nope wrong. Try again.
X
before you added the line driver what was your ACTUAL input voltage@1khz sine and what was your matched amplifier input voltage?
after you installed it what are the new numbers?
why even post if your going to have smartass replies yet provide no useful information for anyone?
Posts: 3421 | From: Owosso MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
yes, I had a POS line driver and I had an annoying noise from my subs after a while (due to the LD breaking down becuase of poor quality... it was kind of like a low rumbling actually..
anyhoo, when I changed to a quality line driver that was built proper the noise went away.
I also had a small turn off pop when I had my original line driver that is now gone with my new one
-------------------- Proud member of West Coast Extreme SPL Posts: 109 | From: Surrey, BC | Registered: May 2000
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