input sensitivity

hi all,

quick question.im looking at jbl gto and power series amps.the maximum input sensitivity varies from model to model.some are max of 4.1v,others are 6.1v.i have a pioneer p80mp cd player with 3 pre-outs of 6.5v.does this mean that these amps are a no go for hooking up to my headunit,or can i go ahead and hook them up?

cheers,

dave.

You can hook it up.  You'll need to limit the voltage through the RCA's by not turning the volume up so high on your head unit.  Pull up a chair, and grab your multimeter.

What I would probably do is power up the Pioneer only hooking up the red, yellow, and black wires, and play a cd with a test tone (0 dB recording) without any amps or speakers connected first.  Slowly turn up the volume as you measure the ac voltage output on the preouts.  Once you reach the max input sensitivity of your amps, make a note of the volume setting.  Now turn it down a few clicks on the dial for good measure.  What this does is take into account a few things such as higher system input voltage- 14+ volts with the car running, as well as slight differences from amp to amp (due to tolerances allowed by the manufacturer)- we don't want your amp already clipping when we first hook it up.  Make a note of the volume setting.

Now, connect your amps/speakers.  Make sure the gains are turned all the way down on the amps.  Now, with the same cd you used to find your initial volume setting, slowly turn the volume up until you hear distortion, or you reach your determined volume setting, whichever comes first.  If you get distortion, turn it down slowly until it goes away.  Make a note of the volume, and don't exceed it- this is you new "system max volume".

Okay, now adjust your amp gain controls until you hear distortion, and back it off until it goes away.  If your amp max sensitivity is accurate, you will get there almost instantly.