High and low level inputs
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
High and low level inputs
What is the difference between high and low amp inputs? Just out of curiosity,I wired the hu outputs into the amp high level inputs , set amp gains, and to me it the system sounds better. I’m using stock hu with Rockford flash sd800.4 amp bridged and gz yellow baskets
What problem could I cause by using the high level input?
Thanks
What problem could I cause by using the high level input?
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
High-level outputs (AKA speaker outs) will typically have much higher output voltages to that of low-level outputs (AKA pre-amp outs). However the term high or low level actually doesn't refer to the voltages at all but to if there is any continuity to ground. If checked with a meter you would find no continuity to ground on any speaker wire (positive or negative). If you check a RCA pre-amp output you will find continuity to ground on the negative wire. High-level outputs have no continuity to ground while low-level outputs have a negative ground
Most people will say you should use low-level amp/DSP inputs if possible. IMO when properly setup, and depending on what options you have on your HU, there is no significant advantage to using one over the other. If you are using the factory radio (which has no pre-amp outputs) I'd prefer to use high-level speaker outputs if that is acceptable as an input to your DSP or amp. I say this because, again IMO, adding any component to the signal path is not desirable (which you do when adding a LL or LOC). If you have a HU with pre-amp outputs I'd use them for the same reason (you are removing the HU amp from the signal path).
If it sounds better to you running the speaker outputs directly into the amp then leave it as it is.
Most people will say you should use low-level amp/DSP inputs if possible. IMO when properly setup, and depending on what options you have on your HU, there is no significant advantage to using one over the other. If you are using the factory radio (which has no pre-amp outputs) I'd prefer to use high-level speaker outputs if that is acceptable as an input to your DSP or amp. I say this because, again IMO, adding any component to the signal path is not desirable (which you do when adding a LL or LOC). If you have a HU with pre-amp outputs I'd use them for the same reason (you are removing the HU amp from the signal path).
If it sounds better to you running the speaker outputs directly into the amp then leave it as it is.
Last edited by hamah; Sep 4, 2021 at 10:04 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
High-level outputs (AKA speaker outs) will typically have much higher output voltages to that of low-level outputs (AKA pre-amp outs). However the term high or low level actually doesn't refer to the voltages at all but to if there is any continuity to ground. If checked with a meter you would find no continuity to ground on any speaker wire (positive or negative). If you check a RCA pre-amp output you will find continuity to ground on the negative wire. High-level outputs have no continuity to ground while low-level outputs have a negative ground
Most people will say you should use low-level amp/DSP inputs if possible. IMO when properly setup, and depending on what options you have on your HU, there is no significant advantage to using one over the other. If you are using the factory radio (which has no pre-amp outputs) I'd prefer to use high-level speaker outputs if that is acceptable as an input to your DSP or amp. I say this because, again IMO, adding any component to the signal path is not desirable (which you do when adding a LL or LOC). If you have a HU with pre-amp outputs I'd use them for the same reason (you are removing the HU amp from the signal path).
If it sounds better to you running the speaker outputs directly into the amp then leave it as it is.
Most people will say you should use low-level amp/DSP inputs if possible. IMO when properly setup, and depending on what options you have on your HU, there is no significant advantage to using one over the other. If you are using the factory radio (which has no pre-amp outputs) I'd prefer to use high-level speaker outputs if that is acceptable as an input to your DSP or amp. I say this because, again IMO, adding any component to the signal path is not desirable (which you do when adding a LL or LOC). If you have a HU with pre-amp outputs I'd use them for the same reason (you are removing the HU amp from the signal path).
If it sounds better to you running the speaker outputs directly into the amp then leave it as it is.
I did have to turn the amp gains down , and unhook the 12v acc power to the amp or Id get a loud pop.
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