Line Drivers

[bobbysky]

I'm looking at getting a line driver (Phoenix Gold TLD66) wondering what you guys think about them. My stereo now is a Clarion xmd1 and the output voltage is 1.8v. The two kicker amps that I have say the have a minimum input of 5v and max 10v. So my gut is telling me that my HU is not putting enough volts to the amp in turn making me turn the gains up to much and causing extra heat.

Thoughts?

[da.bell]

Some additional reading: http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8756

TallTigeGuy, SPBFan, Wetsounds1, and Philsails talk about this torwards the end of the thread. Great reading...

[bobbysky]

Thanks da.bell. When I searched for it I came across that thread but after a few pages I thought it wasn't really what I was looking for. Should of read it to the end.

[philwsailz]

I'm looking at getting a line driver (Phoenix Gold TLD66) wondering what you guys think about them. My stereo now is a Clarion xmd1 and the output voltage is 1.8v. The two kicker amps that I have say the have a minimum input of 5v and max 10v. So my gut is telling me that my HU is not putting enough volts to the amp in turn making me turn the gains up to much and causing extra heat.

Thoughts?

Turning up the gains at the amp do not create extra heat. Now if your speakers are wired wrong, or you have too low a load on the amp channels, or the crossovers are not being used, or are set up incorrectly... These things can cause the amp to run hotter than it should...

The gain controls in an amp just adjust the "front-end" pre-amplifier section of the amp so that its output is maximized and calibrated to the head unit; i.e. when the radio is putting out max clean power, so is the amp. They are not volume controls either, they only calibrate the amp(s) to the head unit.

You are sort of mis-reading the specs on the amps too. Input sensitivity on the RCA connections, (low level connections) is 125 mV, (1/8th of a volt) to 5 volts. The high level, (speaker level) inputs have a sensitivity of 250mV, (1/4 volt) to 10 volts. So if you are using the RCA inputs you are in-between the range of 125mV - 5v specified for the RCA inputs.


I really do not want to get into the hows, whys, and whatnots of the reasonong for a line-driver; it is outside of the question I think at the moment. However, if you are only considering a line driver only because you read, (incorrectly) that the radio output voltage is outside of the amps sensitivity spec, you should go back and re-read.

You DO NOT NEED the line driver for your system unless there are other things going on that might warrant inclusion of one.

We can discuss this a LOT more, but let me keep this reply short and say you do NOT need one for the reason you describe.

Post up post often, and lets visit about it!

Phil
Kicker

[bobbysky]

thanks phil,

You answered my question. I'm going to try the system without one for now. I have no audible noise in the system at all. Once I get my new system installed I will snap some pics and let you all see it.

rob

[philwsailz]

Super! We love pictures!!!

Sorry if my note seemed terse; I just got back from lunch and realized it might sound a little short to some people. Trust me, that is not the case... Just in case it seemed like it.

Anyway, for sure, get us pics, and if you have any questions feel free to post 'em here, it is fun and we all get to help!

good luck!

Phil

[SPBFAN]

Phil is a great source for you. He is very knowledgeable in this area for sure. I see you are in Spokane. I will be in your area with in the next month or so and would be willing to help you out with this if you do not get it figured out before then.

[chpthril]

Post up what amps you have, what speakers they are driving, including sub(s) and how many speakers on each amp and how they are wired.

With this info, we can get you dialed in almost dead-nuts on. We can provide numbers and pics if needed. It's actually nice learning experience.

[bobbysky]

Head unit:
xmd1 clarion

amps:

700.5 kicker

running:
4- hertz component ( 1 set - esk165 (100rms 200peak) 1 set - dsk165 (80rms 160peak) both sets running in 4ohm

1 - P3 10inch rockford sub (400rms 800peak) - running in 2ohm

350.2 kicker

running:
1 set - 8inch dbot5 jet series (150rms)

If you guys haven't heard hertz, check them out, what a great speaker.

I know that 350.2 is probably a bit under powering the towers, but I bought it for my old bazookas. Then decided to get better towers, and now I don't really want to buy another amp. I might upgrade to 4 dbot5 next year therefore I can upgrade an amp at that time.

[chpthril]

Head unit:
xmd1 clarion

amps:

700.5 kicker

running:
4- hertz component ( 1 set - esk165 (100rms 200peak) 1 set - dsk165 (80rms 160peak) both sets running in 4ohm

1 - P3 10inch rockford sub (400rms 800peak) - running in 2ohm

350.2 kicker

running:
1 set - 8inch dbot5 jet series (150rms)

If you guys haven't heard hertz, check them out, what a great speaker.

I know that 350.2 is probably a bit under powering the towers, but I bought it for my old bazookas. Then decided to get better towers, and now I don't really want to buy another amp. I might upgrade to 4 dbot5 next year therefore I can upgrade an amp at that time.

First, double check the gain setting, especially since you are changing tower speakers, as that is a good time to make sure everything is right.

Start with the EQ in the head unit with everything zero, or flat, and the remote Bass knob for the sub, in the middle, and the Bass Boost knob (on the face of the amp) to "9". Set the Bass Boost before setting gain, gain may need resetting if this gets readjusted. For the sub chnl of the 700.5, set the sub's Cross-over control to 80Hz

For the in-cabins, set the Cross-over switches (2) (on the speaker and RCA end of the amp) to HI-Pass. On the face of the amp, set the Cross-over knobs to 90Hz. Bass Boost set to zero (before gain setting).

For the zx350.2, set the Cross-over switches to Hi-Pass, set the Cross-over knobs to 80hz. Again, set the Bass Boost to zero before setting gain. You wont need Bass Boost for the towers.

Here is as gain setting tutorial by Spharis. http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4203

[philwsailz]

X2^^^^


I probably would not go over CHP's recommendation of "9" on the bass boost; the bass boost control is nice, but it is easy to over-do it.

Over-application of bass boost can affect things in a negative way. If you feel you need to turn the bass boost up more than that, get back to us and we can make recommendations about how to get more out of your subwoofer without cranking the boost so much.

ROCK ON!!!!!!