Please explain gain


In simple terms what is gain and why is it important to match gain when bi-amping?

Does active bi-amping versus passive bi-amping make a difference?

How do you compensate for different gains?
r_burke
I have a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 Tube amp and it doesn't specifically state gain in the specifications. There is a spec for Negative Voltage Feedback that is expressed in dB. Is this the same as gain? Is there a formula for calculating gain?

By the way thanks for the information so far, it has helped me understand things much better.
Gain is measured in dB but it is a difference between input and output for the whole amplifier. Your Negative Voltage Feedback figure is a different animal, a measurement of the voltage in a part of the amplifier's circuitry.

(Negative feedback should have an effect on gain, of course, since it involves taking a part of the output, inverting it and bringing it back to the input to cancel out errors. But this is not the measurement you want.)

An amplifier's total gain should be one of its design specifications. The manufacturer ought to be able to supply the figure. In the case of Sonic Frontiers, which is unfortunately out of business, I would contact Parts Connexion. The owner, Chris Johnson, used to run Sonic Frontiers.

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