Where to put line driver.

Do these devices really make that much of a difference ?? I always hear people saying that all you need to do is match the output (without clipping or distortion) to that on the gain of your amp and you do not need these devices... I wonder how true that is ...

Line drivers are great to overcome signal losses in long cable runs and to enable lower gain settings on amps, which means they will run cleaner (higher SQ.)   Also some competitors use them to artificially boost signal strength to get that last bit of SPL out of a system (before they replace the speakers for the next run.) 

Yes, all you need to do is match the signal levels, but sometimes a system can be noisy after this is done and a line driver used properly can help clean it up.

This is a great topic for Rob to make post# 4000 on. For years I have been singing the praises of Eclipse cd players. One of the reasons for this is what I feel to be unparalled tonal response as compared to any other cd player in a similar price range. Another reason though is that it eliminates the need for a outboard line driver. The Eclipse head units are all a minumum of 5 volt and up to 8 volt, rms, non - clipping and 55 ohm output impedence. If you start with a strong source, you end with a strong source. If you start weak and then manipulate the signal to go higher yet again, you always run the risk of introducing noise into the system, then add the fact that the signal is also going to lose some of it's integrity. I inform all of my potential customers of this fact when they come in looking for a line driver. Chances are they read in on a forum or have heard it from a sales clerk, perhaps even seen it in a vehicle and asked about it. The best route to go for the most part (there are some exceptions however), is to use a good high voltage, low impedence, non clipping cd player like can be found in the Eclipse head units.

Yes you already have a cd player, but by the time you can sell it to a friend, purchase the line driver and the additional wiring, then add on the install time and placement, it makes a good cd player that much better of an investment. Condsider the options before you make the choice. Audio Control makes exceptional products for this application, should you decide to go that way, it would make a fine addition.