At what point ( min or max value ) does av/preamp output voltage not make a difference?


Hoping my question is not viewed as 'stupid'. I will attempt to phrase the question so it makes sense. I have a basic understanding of EE and AV electronics but still trying to understand specifications of preamp outputs and at what value output voltage of an AV preamp output stage matters ... 

Meaning - Is a preamp with 4v max output... 'better' suited to drive external amplifier than 2v? Is an 8v output 'better' than 4v in real world use?

I understand that higher voltage output is better ... but at what point does it not translate into better performance?

Reason I ask:  Looking to replace aging avr which has an 8v preamp output.  And I have yet to find ( under $3k for avr or prepro ) one with anything close to this. I am looking at the Anthem AVRs, Marantz 770x pre pro, .... and none have preamp outputs remotely close to the 8v of my 20 year old Denon.

Hope someone can shed some light on this.  

I am looking at using Parasound Halo, ATI, Rotel, Music Fidelity, etc for external amplification ( if that makes a difference ).

Thanks in advance.


lightfighter2018

Showing 1 response by lightfighter2018

Thanks for the feedback. I was speaking specifically of preamp preouts for use of external amplifiers. Its my understanding that the higher the preamp output voltage -- it allows the preamp to take full advantage of all the power amplifier X is capable of providing. Under volting the amp/preamp relationship - as I understand it - puts a bottle neck on the amp.

Just clarifying the thing I am trying to wrap my head around. So, what I think you both are saying is that ... preout V .... won’t impact amp performance as much as I think it will if it has a low V output??

Maybe over thinking it, but I am trying to figure out where that sweet spot is - so I get the most out of amplifier X. At the same time - not obsess unnecessarily over the spec ( i.e., 2v vs 4v+ etc ) on the output stage.

Example: No sense in buying a multichannel 7x200 watt amplifier if my AVR or AV preamp won’t be able to output a signal strong enough to give me those 200w etc.

Or... are you both saying that the spec I am looking at has no bearing on the output relationship of amplifier X?

Thanks.