Where to install line driver?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=29210
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Topic: Where to install line driver?
Posted By: max5spd
Subject: Where to install line driver?
Date Posted: March 28, 2004 at 9:18 PM
Where's the best place to install a line driver? Closer to the headunit or closer the amp? My gut feeling is closer to the amp because the cleaner signal would go right into the amp rather than travel the length of the car. Not to mention, it would be better because I don't have any room in the front of the car, so towards the rear would make a cleaner installation. Thanks!
Replies:
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 1:57 PM
Read this https://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Audio/linedrv.htm But if you are referring to a Line Output Converter, it is best placed close to the amp. Twisted, unshielded cable supplies the signal to the LOC from the original speaker leads. The line driver, on the other hand, is meant to drive the signal over a distance to an amp.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 3:15 PM
stevdart is correct. If you are talking about a line DRIVER, put it as close to the head unit as you can. A Line-Out Converter (LOC) put it as close to the amp as you can.
Posted By: Dauber
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 5:25 PM
So let me get this straight, if the line driver is near the amp, its not going to be as efficient as being say, behind the deck? ------------- Kyle@Audio Obsession Sound
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 5:43 PM
A line driver is designed to boost the line level voltage to help minimize electrical resistance losses and induced noises over long cable runs. So it should be in the system BEFORE the longest cable run. Since the longest cables are usually the ones between the HU and the amps, a line driver should be used at the HU end of that cable. Otherwise, why use one?
Posted By: Dauber
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 5:49 PM
I really didn't know the difference, never reallyy had to install many, just in my own vehicles, but what you say DYohn makes perfect sense, thanks!
-------------
Kyle@Audio Obsession Sound
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 5:51 PM
Close to the amp, it would perform the same function, that is, boost the voltage from the head unit. But it has electronics that enable it to deliver, over a long distance, a clean signal to the amp. That's why it is placed close to the HU, so that the wiring between the HU and the line driver can't pick up noise. Placing the line driver close to the amp (say, in the trunk), and running wire to it from the head unit is defeating an important feature of the driver: delivering a clean signal over a long distance.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 5:53 PM
Sorry, guys, I was on this reply too long...didn't see it was answered.
Posted By: max5spd
Date Posted: March 30, 2004 at 8:52 PM
Thanks guys. I just needed some confirmation.
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