Gain (Balanced)
Balanced gain describes the ratio between output and input signal voltage through a specified balanced connection, expressed in decibels (dB).
At 20 dB gain, output voltage is ten times input voltage, provided the amplifier stays below its output limit. At 0 dB it is unchanged; negative gain reduces it. Balanced signal voltage is the difference between the two signal wires, not one wire measured against ground.
Gain (Balanced) — Power Amp
For a power amp, this is the gain from its balanced input to its speaker output. Higher gain means less input voltage is needed for the same speaker output. It does not by itself increase rated watts.
Check the preamp’s or source’s available clean output against the power amp’s input sensitivity: the voltage required for a stated output. Keep the gain setting, speaker load and stereo or mono mode with the figure.
Sources
- AHB2 specifications: gain, sensitivity and output — Benchmark Media Systems
Gain (Balanced) — Preamp
A line preamp receives the source at its line input and sends its line output to a power amp. Gain helps match source level to the voltage the power amp needs. Respect the preamp’s input limit and maximum clean output; gain cannot provide unlimited output without distortion.
Compare the specified input and output connections, gain setting and volume position. Phono gain instead boosts the small signals from MM or MC record-player cartridges. A volume control’s range describes its adjustment span, not one voltage ratio. There is no universal gain relationship between XLR and RCA connections. More gain alone does not mean better sound.
Sources
- C-2900 gain paths and voltage limits (p. 4) — Accuphase
- LA4 manual: line levels and gain (pp. 26, 38) — Benchmark Media Systems
- AD-2900: cartridge inputs and phono gain — Accuphase
Sources
- Voltage gain calculation — Analog Devices
- Differential voltage definitions (p. 5) — Texas Instruments