2. amps-preamps
  3. 1150657285

Preamp gain vs. poweramp sensitivity

Hello,

Just purchased an Art Audio Carissa which has input sens. of 600mV (very high). At first, I was thinking that I would want a high-gain pre because the Carissa puts out only 16W/ch and could benefit from some preamp gain.

However, I believe upon considering the sensitivity that a high-gain pre is NOT desired because:

1) I would need to open the VC only a bit before the Carissa was driven to full power.

2) For the above reason, the high-gain is wasted anyway because the pre wouldn't be able to put out what it's capable of without overdriving the Carissa.

Do I have this straight? The relation of gain to voltage is not clear to me. The preamp is specified as outputting 2V yet, with a standard 2V source, that is actually unity gain! So what exactly does "20db of gain" in a preamp mean?

Thanks for clarification on this question.

Paul
paulfolbrecht

Showing 4 responses by paulfolbrecht

paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Herman,

Thanks so much for that great explanation! Exactly what I was looking for.

I have to ask you now - would you suggest a passive linestage with this setup? My source's output imp. is 300ohm and the amp's is a very high 180K - this seems like a good case for a passive pre to me. Agree?

In other words, I am now concluding that ANY active pre, much less a high-gain one, makes little sense here. Impedance matching would be the only possible reason for an active preamp and that would not be an issue at all, certainly not with a passive pre with a typical 10K output impedance.

What do you think?

Thanks again.

Paul
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Most passives do vary OI, you're right, with 10K being the top end. Into 180K, I think that'd still be fine.

I have tried a PLS on my system with the previous amps, which have only half the input impedance, and are less sensitive, and it seemed very good to me, including the dynamics.

Active preamps just seem like so much overkill when you've got a strong source and good impedance on both ends.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Oh for pete's sake you guys! :-}
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I don't mind the bogarting of the thread. It's all good. I haven't run your #s but if you used Herman's equation it must be right.
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