pre-outs

An excellent explanation:  http://www.bcae1.com/preoutv.htm

It has NO effect on amplifier longevity.

High voltage CAN help. 

Here's the best part from that page: "A piece of equipment that has a higher maximum output voltage is not necessarily going to sound better than one which is only capable of 2 volts output. The higher output will allow you to reduce the gains on your amp (or any down line signal processor) which will lower the noise floor of your system. If you are not having trouble with noise (alternator, hiss...), you may not benefit from the extra output voltage. You also need to realize that the voltage may be more than your amplifiers can handle. The extra voltage will not damage the amplifier but if the lowest sensitivity ( gain setting) on your amp is 2 volts, and you drive it with anything more than 2 volts, it will cause your amp to clip*. "  (emphasis and bold added) 

See Preamp Output Voltage, Bcae1.com, at http://www.bcae1.com/preoutv.htm 

Note, the clipping mentioned above won't hurt your amplifier, but might very well harm your speakers / subwoofer.  Anyway, the gist is that 2 volts are fine, don't base your entire decision on that one feature.  If you have the money for more voltage, go for it, but be sure your amplifier accepts more than 2 volts or you run the risk of frequently clipping.

Ok, So, On the line of that question, The 801D mono amp that I am running a capable of a 8volt input. If I were to buy a decent line driver, would I benefit from running a higher voltage to it and matching the gains properly?

Chris

In my honest opinion, a line driver would not help you.  It's just one more component in your system which will add it's own noise (however slight), and amplify it as well.

A line driver would be a good idea, a better one if you are open to ideas is a 8volt Eclipse headunit.

forbidden,

I am always open to ideas but, I just purchased the 9833 a few months ago and I really love the unit and my budget will not compensate for a new head unit right now. Besides, my 4 channel will only accept up to 4v max input. I have been told by a few other people that the Thunder series Mono block amps run better with a higher voltage input but, I think the someone was trying to blow smole up my a**. Just wanted to clarify if there might be a possable benefit if I were to get 8 volts to the amp.

Chris

Thanks Ravendarat,

I am gonna pickup a Audio control Line driver next week.

Should I feed it the full maximum 8 volts?

Chris