2. amps-preamps
  3. 125173-4976

can you alter the gain of an amplifier?

I never use active preamps and prefer sources with built-in volume controls over passive preamps when possible.  I've had great success using cd players by Consonance, Theta, & OPPO directly in my amp(s) but find that sometimes, even with the volume full up, the sound level is just not loud enough.  With my big, solid state amps, I know I'm not out of power, just not enough gain (this was particularly problematic with an Aleph clone).  I was wondering if it's possible/feasible to alter the gain of an amp to achieve better results using a passive volume control or the on-board volume control in the source?  I won't be doing the work myself.  I just want to know if a decent repair/mod shop could make the alterations.  Thanks!
lcherepkai
erik_squires
16,389 posts
 
Whoops! Almarg is right, I was wrong. :)  It's been a while since I had to do transformer math, but you got the idea. :)

Best,


Erik
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

It may be safer easier to up the gain on the output stage buffer of your source/s.

What amps do you have at the moment that you want to have more gain with?

Cheers George

bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Whoops! Almarg is right, I was wrong. :) It's been a while since I had to do transformer math, but you got the idea. :)

Best,


Erik
yup! everything changes (up or down) by the square of the turns ratio....
lcherepkai OP
280 posts
 
George, amps on hand include a Cambridge Audio 840W, a pair of Xindak XA8800MNU monoblocks, and a nice gainclone.  Sources include a Cambridge Audio 851C, and both Modwright and Upgrade Company modded Oppo BDP-83SE's  with the Modwright having the outboard tubed power supply.  It seems that the Modwright plays less loudly with the volume full up than the Upgrade Co Oppo.  Thanks.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Unfortunately there are no circuits online for any of these, but a good tech will be able to give you 6db of gain on any of these for 1hr’ish labour.

I would look at the source to increase the gain on (less feedback), as many are just opamp output and all that’s need is one small feedback resistor changed on each channel.

Doing the amps could result in sound change and or oscillations, if not monitored on the bench afterwards, saying that amps usually increase in stability with an increase in gain (less feedback)


Cheers George

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