Setting line driver
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51,077
Likes: 4
From: B.C., Canada
Rep Power: 786 
Setting line driver
I just installed a new line driver but I need to know how to measure the output voltage so that I can set it correctly.
Any info helps
Any info helps
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51,077
Likes: 4
From: B.C., Canada
Rep Power: 786 That's what I thought
I'm like retarded though, I knew I had to set it to AC volts and give it signal, but it wasn't working before, but now it is. How gay is that???
I'm like retarded though, I knew I had to set it to AC volts and give it signal, but it wasn't working before, but now it is. How gay is that???
it happens 
i boogie for the raindrops
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, Mississippi
Rep Power: 0 your whole goal, is setting the amp gains as absolutely low as possible
do it by ear.
if it sounds bad, it's too high
multimeter wont quite work, youd require an oscilloscope to do it scientifically
do it by ear.
if it sounds bad, it's too high
multimeter wont quite work, youd require an oscilloscope to do it scientifically
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51,077
Likes: 4
From: B.C., Canada
Rep Power: 786 Well it can be more closely set buy a DMM than by ear I would think, because that way if I know my amps gain is variable between say 6.0v-0.5v of input, and I set the output voltage to 6, then if I set my gain at 0 it's gotta be pretty close to be "perfect" right? The only thing that I see that could still be off is little inconsistencies in the electronics, but it's gotta be pretty damn close doesn't it?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51,077
Likes: 4
From: B.C., Canada
Rep Power: 786 yes sir 
the show I was redoing my system for went down today, and I'm sad to report that I didn't to near as well as I thought. I think I did make a couple of mistakes, but even then I wouldn't have placed so there is no worries. My high score on the termlab sensor is 141.4 but today I got as high as 139.7. I was at least glad to see that my scores were consistent, but I realize now what I did wrong and will shoot for much higher numbers next season.
Anyways back on topic... If they were rated for 4 and didn't even clip at 13, then why not rate them for 13 or whatever they clip at? However I don't know how ratings are determined so I won't say much more on that.
Instead of trusting what the manual says I should set it to I should probably get off my lazy *** and do some research.
the show I was redoing my system for went down today, and I'm sad to report that I didn't to near as well as I thought. I think I did make a couple of mistakes, but even then I wouldn't have placed so there is no worries. My high score on the termlab sensor is 141.4 but today I got as high as 139.7. I was at least glad to see that my scores were consistent, but I realize now what I did wrong and will shoot for much higher numbers next season.
Anyways back on topic... If they were rated for 4 and didn't even clip at 13, then why not rate them for 13 or whatever they clip at? However I don't know how ratings are determined so I won't say much more on that.
Instead of trusting what the manual says I should set it to I should probably get off my lazy *** and do some research.
Registered!!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 0
From: bay area, california
Rep Power: 337 the human ear is the most sensitive piece of equipment in existance, properly calibrated....
Using an O-scope is a fun tool as well, you can start all the way at your source and find where the units clip at what frequencies all the way down the line through the speaker outputs even.
Its a rare system that has the ability to tune to ZERO clipping, however. the volume just ends up WAY too low. Only time I ever had zero clipping in my car was feeding 350 rms to each of my midranges, and 150 rms to my tweeters. In the end, it madae no sense, and I swapped equipment becuase of it.
A line driver typically is used for boosting the signal to prevent indiced noise in the RCA cable. Thus, the desired tuning goal, really, is to maximize the signal strength post line driver.
naturally, you wont want a small CD player signal boosted heavily by the line driver, since the small chatter present in all players would be heavily boosted as well. So you would want to get the largest output possible from your CD player without distorting that same signal, or adding noise or excessive clipping. remember, you can have minor midrange clipping and never even hear it, and you cna have MASSIVE sub-bass clipping and never know it!
from there, youve maximized your S/N ratio. The line driver can then further boost that signal to the limit of its ability, unless SQ be dammed. getting the right balence of radio volume to line driver gain to amp gain takes a bit of finesse, and a CRAPload of listening time. Grab a CD or two, a pot of coffee or 12 pack of Mtn. Dew, and let the fun begin
Using an O-scope is a fun tool as well, you can start all the way at your source and find where the units clip at what frequencies all the way down the line through the speaker outputs even.
Its a rare system that has the ability to tune to ZERO clipping, however. the volume just ends up WAY too low. Only time I ever had zero clipping in my car was feeding 350 rms to each of my midranges, and 150 rms to my tweeters. In the end, it madae no sense, and I swapped equipment becuase of it.
A line driver typically is used for boosting the signal to prevent indiced noise in the RCA cable. Thus, the desired tuning goal, really, is to maximize the signal strength post line driver.
naturally, you wont want a small CD player signal boosted heavily by the line driver, since the small chatter present in all players would be heavily boosted as well. So you would want to get the largest output possible from your CD player without distorting that same signal, or adding noise or excessive clipping. remember, you can have minor midrange clipping and never even hear it, and you cna have MASSIVE sub-bass clipping and never know it!
from there, youve maximized your S/N ratio. The line driver can then further boost that signal to the limit of its ability, unless SQ be dammed. getting the right balence of radio volume to line driver gain to amp gain takes a bit of finesse, and a CRAPload of listening time. Grab a CD or two, a pot of coffee or 12 pack of Mtn. Dew, and let the fun begin
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51,077
Likes: 4
From: B.C., Canada
Rep Power: 786 Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51,077
Likes: 4
From: B.C., Canada
Rep Power: 786 But not quite the type of boom I am hoping to achieve :P
Having a 6 channel line driver is nice because I can have 2 set for daily driving, 2 with the proper voltage at a certain frequency, and 2 with the proper voltage at another frequency or some other setting that I might want to use.
Having a 6 channel line driver is nice because I can have 2 set for daily driving, 2 with the proper voltage at a certain frequency, and 2 with the proper voltage at another frequency or some other setting that I might want to use.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
97-DX-Lover
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
5
Jun 14, 2015 06:07 PM
Touge
Canada East
0
May 20, 2015 10:53 PM
