Gain: Getting the best sound out of your amplifier.

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by MLegend, Feb 13, 2016.

  1. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Likes Received:
    320
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Northwest Florida
    Hey everyone,
    This is more of a question for the community rather than advice coming from me so hopefully someone or even multiple people can help me and anyone else who is also wondering about this same topic.

    I've read from many places that setting your amp to it's lowest gain is always the best choice because it reduces noise and lowers distortion. Is this completely true? Does doing so also affect your amps sonic performance with dynamics, transient response, impact?

    Would trying to set your gain to as close to 0db as possible give you the cleanest signal possible or could this also result in just softening the sound?

    My amp (Gustard H10) has a main amplifier gain of 8db so with none of the gain settings turned on the amp is amplifying the signal by 8db. My gain switches are -12(which is what I currently use), -6, +6, +12. So my main amplifier gain adjustment range: -4 / +2 / +8 / +14 / +20 dB. With the -12db switch the amp is sending a -4db signal. Would this be the best setting for the cleanest signal or could this hurt the sonic performance of the amp since it's lowering the output signal?

    I am asking these questions not just for my own personal scenario but for anyone who maybe wondering what gain setting to set their own amplifier to and is just either to afraid to ask the community or just doesn't know any better. Thank you to anyone who replies to this thread with advice or help regarding this topic. I appreciate it very much. Have a nice day!
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2016

Share This Page