Pre-out voltage

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=81870
Printed Date: May 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM

Topic: Pre-out voltage

Posted By: antonk
Subject: Pre-out voltage
Date Posted: August 21, 2006 at 2:04 PM

Hi everybody,

im planning to upgrade my sound system a little bit, and i really want to get a new deck the one that plays MP3. and right now im having some troubles with deciding which one to get. Im looking for something more or less unexpensive around 150-200 bucks. and just want somebody to fill me in on pre-out voltage, how important that is, for example what's the difference between 2V 2.5V and 5V. My buddy is telling me that i should go for the biggest voltage and im thinking if i should go for Clarion with 5V's or just buy Sony's deck with 24-bit converter but with 2volts. Please let me know what should i look for and whats more important.

Im currently looking at Pioneer DEH-P3800MP (2.2V preout), Sony CDXGT500 (2V, 24-bit), JVC KD-G320 (2.5V preout) which are in my price range, or Eclipse CD3000 which got 5V preout voltage but more expensive. if anybody knows about those decks i would like to hear it as well.

Thanx !

Replies:

Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: August 21, 2006 at 2:51 PM

the higher the preout, the better the quality.

Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: August 21, 2006 at 3:08 PM

killer sonata wrote:

the higher the preout, the better the quality.

No. Incorrect. This is another case of putting far too much stock in one number.

A preout with a higher voltage potential is not necessarily of higher quality. In some cases, high output voltage can lead to excessive clipping.

Read https://www.bcae1.com/ Topic: "Pre-Amp Output Voltage"

Here's the key quote:

"NOTE: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*."

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