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Post by hcsunshine90 on Aug 21, 2014 16:58:51 GMT -5
i have a pair of UPA-1 amps and i like them a lot. in the manual, it states that the amplifier gain is 32db. now, when i look at the specs for say the XPA-1 and XPA-1L amps they say the gain (for both models) is 29db. was wondering which is "better", 29db gain or 32db gain?
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Post by garbulky on Aug 21, 2014 17:05:20 GMT -5
The lower gain gives a slightly lower distortion. It matters more if you are trying to level match two different amps. So UPA-1 will play louder for the same amount of pre-amp signal given. It doesn't mean it's capable of louder volume - just that at that pre-amp signal it will play louder.
I.e. It takes less pre-amp voltage to get the amp to maximum power. While on the XPA-1 L it will take more pre-amp voltage to get the amp to maximum power (comparatively). Once again, it has nothing to do with which has more power.
Some AVR's have low voltage on their pre-amp outputs. So for instance if you had an XPR-1 with 29db gain there is the possibility that an AVR with say a maximum 1V output would not be able to take full advantage of the XPR-1's maxmimum power. For issues like that you would need a dedicated pre-amp.
The standard redbook line out is 2V for what its worth.
There are amps out there that have even less gain on them. And some that have a bit more. I think I've seen some tube models with more gain.
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geebo
Emo VIPs 
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,204
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Post by geebo on Aug 21, 2014 17:09:18 GMT -5
i have a pair of UPA-1 amps and i like them a lot. in the manual, it states that the amplifier gain is 32db. now, when i look at the specs for say the XPA-1 and XPA-1L amps they say the gain (for both models) is 29db. was wondering which is "better", 29db gain or 32db gain? It depends on a few things. There really is no better. With a low gain amp, you have to turn the preamp up higher to get the same volume which keeps preamp noise lower. But if your preamp can't put out enough voltage to drive the lower gain amp to full output then a higher gain amp may be desirable. |
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Post by hcsunshine90 on Aug 21, 2014 17:12:43 GMT -5
ah, i see. thanks garbulky!
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Post by hcsunshine90 on Aug 21, 2014 17:13:36 GMT -5
i have a pair of UPA-1 amps and i like them a lot. in the manual, it states that the amplifier gain is 32db. now, when i look at the specs for say the XPA-1 and XPA-1L amps they say the gain (for both models) is 29db. was wondering which is "better", 29db gain or 32db gain? It depends on a few things. There really is no better. With a low gain amp, you have to turn the preamp up higher to get the same volume which keeps preamp noise lower. But if your preamp can't put out enough voltage to drive the lower gain amp to full output then a higher gain amp may be desirable. i have the XSP-1 gen 2 for a pre amp. |
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Post by garbulky on Aug 21, 2014 17:20:03 GMT -5
Then it will drive any emo amp you need  |
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Post by audiobill on Aug 21, 2014 18:14:28 GMT -5
Also, IIRC the XPA-1 G1 is 32 db gain, and the G2 is 29.
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