Gain matching explained

[CleanSound]

Hi All, I couldn't find anything on ASR on the explanation of gain matching. If it exist, can someone link me and then I will delete this post. Or link me to any resources on the internet.

TIA!

 

[DVDdoug]

In what context? Matching to what?

...You do need to "level match" or "volume match" for A/B listening or ABX listening tests to eliminate volume differences as a variable. That's normally done with test tones and a multimeter. (Or with an SPL meter if comparing speakers.)

Louder often "sounds better" and people might say things like "it's more dynamic", etc., and with ABX you are simply trying to hear if there's ANY difference and different loudness is a dead-givaway.

 

[CleanSound]

In what context? Matching to what?

...You do need to "level match" or "volume match" for A/B listening or ABX listening tests to eliminate volume differences as a variable. That's normally done with test tones and a multimeter. (Or with an SPL meter if comparing speakers.)

Louder often "sounds better" and people might say things like "it's more dynamic", etc., and with ABX you are simply trying to hear if there's ANY difference and different loudness is a dead-givaway.

For instance, matching a preamp to an amp? I keep reading about this gain matching thing, I have yet to find anything that explains it well.

 

[DonH56]

Hi All, I couldn't find anything on ASR on the explanation of gain matching. If it exist, can someone link me and then I will delete this post. Or link me to any resources on the internet.

TIA!

It can get complicated. There is a long painful read on ASR here:

The Signal Chain: How do noise and distortion propagate through my system?

This article is to explore how noise and distortion change through our system, and how different components can influence the final output. A common question is “If I have DAC A, preamp B, and amp C, where should I set the volume and gain controls for the best performance?” Usually this...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If all you want to do is to match signal levels that is an easier task.

 

[CleanSound]

It can get complicated. There is a long painful read on ASR here:

The Signal Chain: How do noise and distortion propagate through my system?

This article is to explore how noise and distortion change through our system, and how different components can influence the final output. A common question is “If I have DAC A, preamp B, and amp C, where should I set the volume and gain controls for the best performance?” Usually this...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If all you want to do is to match signal levels that is an easier task.

Good lord, going to have to reserve few free nights for this!

 

[DonH56]

Good lord, going to have to reserve few free nights for this!

There are lots of pictures... And again, if all you want to do is to match signal levels to avoid overdriving (or significantly under driving) the components, that does not require all the noise and distortion analysis in that thread.

 

[Philbo King]

Google 'gain staging'

 

[CleanSound]

It can get complicated. There is a long painful read on ASR here:

The Signal Chain: How do noise and distortion propagate through my system?

This article is to explore how noise and distortion change through our system, and how different components can influence the final output. A common question is “If I have DAC A, preamp B, and amp C, where should I set the volume and gain controls for the best performance?” Usually this...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If all you want to do is to match signal levels that is an easier task.

Meanwhile, I am trying to put this together. Would appreciate any expertise you may be able to contribute. TIA!

 

[DVDdoug]

The preamp simply needs a hot-enough signal to drive the power amp to full-power. That's usually not a problem, except that some pro power amps want a higher "pro" line level signal. Most of the time preamps are attenuating,* rather than amplifying, and most line-level signals are attenuated before going to the power amp or power amp stage.



* That's not the case for mic preamps or phono preamps, which are true preamps.