2. amps-preamps
  3. 1067003586

Help with increasing gain on pre amp or options?

Hi,

I've just recently paired an AR LS15 tube preamp with a pair of Cary V12 Monoblocks and need to increase the gain from the preamp to get more volume....probably around 30% including some headroom.
What is the best was to do this?
The LS15 has the remote volume control so I'm guessing it's not as simple as changing a couple of resistors?
The issue seems to be with the V12's, since I had the same problem with lack of volume when driving them directly from a Monarchy DAC, and I've driven other amps directly from the DAC without issue (both LS15 and V12 are new to me, so I haven't had experience with these issues before now).

Is it possible to change output tubes in the LS or input tubes in the V12 to increase gain?

I don't want to open up the V12's if possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rooze
128x128rooze
jazzdude
332 posts
 
It may be an issue of voltage sensitivity instead of gain.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
On my ARC pre (SP-9), there was a trace to cut on the PCB that would change (reduce) the gain. Maybe it was cut on yours.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
One note of caution regarding preamps that provide two different gain settings. Sometimes, selecting the higher gain option can also increase the distortion to unacceptable noise levels.

-IMO
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
What is the output of you CDP? maybe it is time or an excuse to upgrade that and get the gain increase you need.

I have a Gamut CD1R and it has a 4 volt gain and I'm actually looking to reduce my gain because it is too much for my high sensitivity amplifier inputs.
rooze's avatar
rooze OP
643 posts
 
Thanks for comments so far, however, I just installed a high-gain mod from Audio Research (2 resistors lift the output from 12 to 18 db) and it's still not enough.
It changes from disc to disc, but on most discs I can't get more than about 88db (at the desired 14' listening position') from my Mag 3.6's. The amps don't sound particularly strained, so I'm assuming more volume is possible given more volts on the inputs.
What concerns me is that looking at Cary's preamps as a possible 'synergistic' option, they range in gain from only 17db to 20db, which I don't beleive will be enough, based on what I've just seen going from 12 to 18db.

I'm using balanced outs from the LS15, although they are quite long at 20'. I would estimate based on the step from 12-18db, that I need about 25db gain to get the volume up without having the volume pot fully clockwise.
My front end is Audio Alchemy DDS Pro Transport into AA Dti Pro 32 into MF A3/24 upsampling DAC.
I don't know if there is any way to lift the output from the Dti or the MF?
I really don't want to ditch the LS15, but ARC are saying that any additional increase in gain would result in excessive noise and degraded sound quality.

Can anyone suggest an option that doesn't involve ditching equipment, if not, please recommend a pre with balanced outputs that has 25+db of gain.

Many thanks

Rooze
More to discover