Jump to content

Typical Power Amp gain - what is it, if there is such a thing?


almikel

Recommended Posts

Hi guys,

a question not specifically related to DIY, but likely DIY people have thought about the question....

Is there a "typical" gain set on power amps, or are most power amps designed with a gain such that a full range input signal will provide maximum power output (ie a 60W amp will have twice the gain of a 30W amp)?

 

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites



In pro audio gear 4dBu (1.23Vrms) input level is considered somewhat of a standard. Whether or not the amp is configured such that 4dBu at the input of the power amp equals maximum power is a secondary matter.

In consumer gear pretty much anything goes. All of the amps i've come across have a gain somewhere in the region of 20 to 50. If it is an exceptionally powerful amp there will usually be an inbuilt preamp stage as running the power amp stage at higher gain will increase distortion.

The amount of gain in the preamp and poweramp stages together is almost always more than is necessary as it is considered better practice to have to attenuate 'correct level' input signals than to run out of gain when a lower-than-optimal input signal is used.

A 120W amp would require twice the voltage gain to reach maximum power compared to a 30W amp because power is proportional to the square of the voltage. A 60W amp only requires 1.41x that of a 30W.

Edited by TMM
Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...
To Top