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line drivers

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Old 03-17-2005, 10:45 PM
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well i bought a 8 volt line driver a few months ago but have never used it, and now a guy a school is willing to pay me $75(i paid 50+tax) for it.

so now im wondering what the benefits are of having one and if its worth me keeping. like i would just turn the gains up on my amp but im worried that the amp will start cliping and cook my sub. any input will be greatly appreciated.
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Old 03-17-2005, 10:50 PM
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a line driver wil help your amp get a better, more powerful signal input voltage, to help produce a clearner, and more powerful, usually unclipped signal to your woofer. now, usually when u put a line driver in place, you will be able to turn up your amp more, and possibly see an increase of power, and possibly better sound as well!


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Old 03-17-2005, 10:59 PM
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I disagree somewhat....

A line driver will show the amp a larger signal....this will allow you to achieve the same volume while turning your gains up less .....this will give you a lower noise floor.

The problem is that it will only amplify the signal from your deck.....if the signal is crap to start with, you will only end up with a larger piece of crap.

You can also over saturate the input stage on some amps with too much voltage.

I think they have their place in some SPL systems but I personally would never use one in a SQ system......I would have a good head unit instead.

[ March 18, 2005, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: loudtdi ]
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Old 03-17-2005, 11:01 PM
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goof answer loudtdi.. i was kinda backwards, as it wil allow u to turn down ur amp... but yes u need a good signal to help it from the deck.

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Old 03-17-2005, 11:12 PM
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WD21,

Looking at your head unit and your gear, I would say you do not need the line driver...

Take the $75.00 and upgrade your power & ground wire or put the money towards a 1 farad cap.
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Old 03-18-2005, 08:59 AM
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MaNic,

Caps are not useless.....in a moderate daily driver system they can have very positive effects.

Of course you will upgrade your power & grounds to your battery/chassis/alternator at the same time.

MAnic, lets hear why caps are useless.
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Old 03-18-2005, 09:20 AM
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LOL.. oh man.. here we go... i have to agree more with manic on these caps... i CAN SEE why they are OK, in some systems... but on the other hand they can be completly pointless.... just battery, good charging system, and upgraded powerwires will do much much better off.. but also all that upgrading will be alot more costly then just the cap..


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Old 03-18-2005, 11:06 AM
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^^^
yes, yes....all true, but back to the topic.

i got my line driver for my SPL system and i LOVE it, if you can get subs that handle enough power, they take a little of the load off your amp but still have a lot of pound!

i would keep the line driver if you want a lound system, but if you need the money don't bother keeping it.
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Old 03-18-2005, 11:08 AM
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oops...i forgot...<plug> if you choose any line drivers...go with audio control - they have the best </plug>


^^^
they sent me some free parts, and i'm just returning the favor. but seriously, they are good ones.
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Old 03-18-2005, 11:09 AM
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ok well i guess ill see if i can get the 75 as the guy i was going to sell it to just bought a new amp last night and is tight on cash now. oh well if i cant ill just hook it up and see what it can do [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] once again thanks for all the input
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