2. amps-preamps
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Does reducing gain setting on power amp increase chance of clipping?

I have a 4Ohm speaker that recommends 50-400w amps. I have a XTZ A2-300 amp that can deliver 300w at 4Ohm. The amp has a volume gain input limiter where it says “ Using the adjustable gain will limit the maximum power output of the device and thus protect your speakers from possible damage when playing loud. This feature can be used as a maximum volume lock.”

When I reduce the gain, I reduce and limit the maximum volume on my speaker. Now my question is, does it also increase the chance of clipping the amp which fries the speaker driver at low volume? For example if I turn the gain very low and put my pre-amp volume to 100%, do I risk blowing my tweeters at very low volume?

bwang29
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,516 posts
 

I'm not sure how the amp controls power output. If it is just an analog volume control device, no issue. 

rodman99999
6,158 posts
 

     One uses such a control to set a maximum voltage into the amp. As long as that voltage is somewhere below the voltage required to overdrive/clip the amp: it simply can’t.

     As long as that voltage can still drive the amp and speakers, to a level that satisfies your cravings: you’re golden.

rodman99999
6,158 posts
 

       Have you ever listened to your rig, with the volume control turned to max?

       Unless you've adjusted the amp's gain, to a point too low to satisfy: I can't think of a reason.

       otoh: If the combination of your sources and preamp is capable (at any control setting) of outputting a clipped signal: that very high frequency distortion*, if your amp has the bandwidth, could possibly be amplified and passed to your tweeters.

      It doesn't take a lot of clipped signal/voltage, to heat up most tweeters.   

       *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_(audio)#:~:text=Clipping%20is%20a%20form%20of,current%20beyond%20its%20maximum%20capability.&text=In%20the%20frequency%20domain%2C%20clipping,comes%20closer%20to%20a%20squarewave).

 

gs5556
1,235 posts
 

No. As long as the voltage of the signal (set by the gain) is less than the rail voltage it will not clip.

BTW, never set the volume to 100% before sending the signal through.  You never know.

 

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Amplifier gain is fixed, never variable. In reality what your "gain reduction" is limiting is the amplifier input level. In other words more like "maximum volume lock". What this does will depend on how it works. The vast majority of volume controls are really attenuators. If smooth then a variable attenuator or trim pot. If stepped then a stepped attenuator with a lot of different value resistors.

Either way, the max is limited by setting a minimum amount of attenuation. In other words like beyond a certain point turning the volume up no longer turns the volume up. It doesn't limit the amp. It limits the input to the amp.

 

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