rca output voltage

hey everyone i've got a couple questions about the total input voltage to my amps. I've checked the output voltage from my eq with my DMM and im wondering if the voltage on each RCA (Left & Right) Add up to make the final input voltage? so if Left say 4.5v and right says 4.5v, does that mean the amp is getting a 9v input voltage? or just 4.5 on each channel/side. (mono amp) Also I know that the point of setting the gains on amps is to match the input sensitivity to the output sensitivity of the music source, and my subwoofer amp has a gain setting from 0.2-9volts. Does this mean if I get an output voltage of 9v from my eq that I can leave this amps gain at 9 volts? and will the amp not clip (with sufficient electrical)? Thanks alotI can't hear you!

Unfortunately, even with CEA standards, there is no set way of measuring the pre-out voltages. In theory, what you are saying is correct about setting the gain on your amp, but you can't say that with absolute certainty. I for one never like to have my gain all the way up. It's just like when you're tuning from the head-unit. You turn the volume up to about 80% of the maximum volume and then that becomes your new maximum volume. Same way with an amp. I never like to take an amp more than 75% of the way to its maximum gain. Yes, it may sound like it can handle it for a degree of time, but then heat will get introduced into the equation and with heat comes inefficiency. If you're trying to get more out of your amps, then I suggest getting a bigger amp rather than maxxing out the gain on the current one.MECP Basic Installation Tech

Certification ID: CEA195600

Pioneer AVIC-X920BT

Polk Audio DXi 6500 - front

Rockford Fosgate Power T1693 - rear

Alpine MRP-F300

Alpine MRP-M500

Alpine SWR-1242D

And as far as I understand it, the voltage is off of each individual pre-out... not the pair. So you're looking at 4.5v pre-outs. Someone else may be better able to answer this question though.MECP Basic Installation Tech

Certification ID: CEA195600

Pioneer AVIC-X920BT

Polk Audio DXi 6500 - front

Rockford Fosgate Power T1693 - rear

Alpine MRP-F300

Alpine MRP-M500

Alpine SWR-1242D

actually you have it backwards. the 9v setting on an amp will be all the way down. thats the point of a high preout voltage is to keep from having to turn your amp up. the lower the voltage the more you should have to turn your amp up to get good output. also more voltage lets you make longer rca runs without losing signal quality. to the OP, rca voltage is not exact. think of it like a maximum instead of an rms rating even though it still isn't. i like to set my amps by ear because in the end its all about protecting the speakers. if you have the radio turned up a little past normal listening volume, then turn your amp up until you hear distortion, then back off about an 8th to a 4th then you should be good to go for everyday driving. if you're listening in the future and notice some songs still give you distortion then you need to play with your settings a little bit more.

alright so with that min of 9v and max of 0.2v, does that mean if I have 9vrms of output, the gain on the amp should be at 9v? And if I only had 0.2vrms of outpit ot would need to be turned to 0.2v? And does the input impedence take any major affect in matching the input sensativities? Because I have a rockford fosgate that is 10k ohm input imp. And a hifonics with a 20k input imp.I can't hear you!

Duh... Brain fart... I knew that. Scratch my stupidness from the record, please.MECP Basic Installation Tech

Certification ID: CEA195600

Pioneer AVIC-X920BT

Polk Audio DXi 6500 - front

Rockford Fosgate Power T1693 - rear

Alpine MRP-F300

Alpine MRP-M500

Alpine SWR-1242D

rfhvhtoo wrote: alright so with that min of 9v and max of 0.2v, does that mean if I have 9vrms of output, the gain on the amp should be at 9v? And if I only had 0.2vrms of outpit ot would need to be turned to 0.2v? And does the input impedence take any major affect in matching the input sensitivities? Because I have a rockford fosgate that is 10k ohm input imp. And a hifonics with a 20k input imp.

you wont get 9v RMS from the preout. that is a max. just like when you have an amp that claims 3000w peak, its the same concept. you more than likely will have the original 4.5volt output, i dont think that it is summed up like we've been thinking. in which case your amp could be turned up to about half way. you still need to listen for any kind of speaker distortion with your radio turned up to about 70 - 80% of its maximum and this becomes your new maximum. turn your gains up slowly until you start to hear any kind of distortion from the mids and especially the tweets. once you start to hear distortion, turn the amp down about a 1/4 of a turn. but, long story short, use your ears when you set a gain because the numbers on the amp aren't exact either. and depending on what speakers you are using you may be able to give the amp a little more , or if the speakers are not so good then you should be really careful to keep the gain down no matter what