What is Amplifier Gain?

[mguevarra61]

Okay. When the sound coming from your left speaker is louder than the right one....is this caused by a discrepancy in the amplifier gain? I hate using the balance control on the preamp. I've already checked speaker wires, polarity, what have you etc...etc...Can someone tell me if they have encountered this problem before? Am I right attributing this to a discrepancy in the amplifier gain?

[thsmith]

Is it slight or quite a bit of difference ?

Ideally they should be equal un;ess you a have room problem that requires a slight bias to one side. Otherwise it could be a speaker or AMP problem.

Have you tried switching outputs on the AMP for left and right and see if the inbalance changes ?

Also, is the same no matter which source you use, CDP, TV, turntable, BRP ?

[mini-me]

Amplifier gain is the ratio (or number) of voltage amplification of the original signal and usually given in dB(V). Of coz, almost all amplifiers have both voltage gain and current gain but we usually talk about voltage gain in general.

The problem you describe may lies in the preamp. Try swapping the pre-out cable from L to R and see the problem shifted to the other side of the speaker. Also, did you hear any scratchy sound when balance knob is moved from left to right?

If any answer is YES, you may need to clean up the Balance Pot using professional electronics cleaner. While you are at it, you can also clean the volume control POT too.

If any of the answer is NO, you may need to take your amp to the Professional repair shop for diagnostics.

To clean the balance pot and volume pot inside your preamplifier, Turn Off all equipment and remove the preamplifier. Then, remove the top cover and locate Balance Knob and Volume Knob inside the preamp. Then look for the small holes around the POT and spray electronics cleaner a few times while turning the POT from left to right and vice versa.

Let the POT dry for a few minutes (like 5-10 minutes) and install the cover back on and try the preamp again. If the problem persists, it's probably about time for a visit to the Repair Shop with both the amp and preamp.

Edit : Yes, I googled for the above answers!

[Toolfan66]

Where does one buy professional electronics cleaner?

Thanks.

Amplifier gain is the ratio (or number) of voltage amplification of the original signal and usually given in dB(V). Of coz, almost all amplifiers have both voltage gain and current gain but we usually talk about voltage gain in general.

The problem you describe may lies in the preamp. Try swapping the pre-out cable from L to R and see the problem shifted to the other side of the speaker. Also, did you hear any scratchy sound when balance knob is moved from left to right?

If any answer is YES, you may need to clean up the Balance Pot using professional electronics cleaner. While you are at it, you can also clean the volume control POT too.

If any of the answer is NO, you may need to take your amp to the Professional repair shop for diagnostics.

To clean the balance pot and volume pot inside your preamplifier, Turn Off all equipment and remove the preamplifier. Then, remove the top cover and locate Balance Knob and Volume Knob inside the preamp. Then look for the small holes around the POT and spray electronics cleaner a few times while turning the POT from left to right and vice versa.

Let the POT dry for a few minutes (like 5-10 minutes) and install the cover back on and try the preamp again. If the problem persists, it's probably about time for a visit to the Repair Shop with both the amp and preamp.

Edit : Yes, I googled for the above answers!

[Hawkeye]

Is there a large opening near the left speaker? I have a seven foot opening going into the dining room next to my left speaker. To get a balanced spl, I have to put a couple clicks of boost to the left.

Gordon

[mguevarra61]

Is it slight or quite a bit of difference ?

Ideally they should be equal un;ess you a have room problem that requires a slight bias to one side. Otherwise it could be a speaker or AMP problem.

Have you tried switching outputs on the AMP for left and right and see if the inbalance changes ?

Also, is the same no matter which source you use, CDP, TV, turntable, BRP ?

Since I have a new preamp, the problem may either lie in the room acoustics or the amp itself. I have switched the loudspeaker cables (from right to left and reverse as well) and the right speaker seems to still have lesser sound than the left one. The difference is not that much, I don't think. My amp is probably on its way out.

[mini-me]

Where does one buy professional electronics cleaner?

Thanks.

Oops, I forgot to google for Professional Electronics Cleaner! My bad! :o

Google suggests local electronics store such as Radio Shack, Fry's or BB will carry such products. It also said Home Depot, and Lowe's will have a few select brand but not recommended to use them for the electronics.

[mini-me]

Since I have a new preamp, the problem may either lie in the room acoustics or the amp itself. I have switched the loudspeaker cables (from right to left and reverse as well) and the right speaker seems to still have lesser sound than the left one. The difference is not that much, I don't think. My amp is probably on its way out.

You need to swap the RCA / or XLR cable from Left to Right between the output of the preamp and the amp. Not the speaker cables!

Any chance you are using an AVR as a preamplifier?

[organ]

Did you measure the distance between each speaker and your listening spot? If placement is not exact to the nearest inch or so, one could experience what you've described. The speaker that is slightly closer to your head will sound a little louder.

[mhardy6647]

Where does one buy professional electronics cleaner?

Thanks.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...Mfg&srchMfg=30

[Keiko]

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...Mfg&srchMfg=30

+1 for Deoxit. Avoid the Radio Shack stuff. It sucks, IMO. I bought a can, it freezes when sprayed and you can't control it.

[mhardy6647]

In fairness, there are reports of DeOxit damaging certain kinds of potentiometers (I believe those that have carbon film on a plastic rotor), and DeOxit can dissolve lubricants that give pots that nice smooth "feel", but it is a superior product for cleaning pots and switches/contacts and my experiences with it are uniformly positive.

There are many other CAIG products, but I cannot really vouch for any of them.

[skrol]

I thought Amplifier Gain was when you started out with a Soundesign compact stereo then graduated to a Technics receiver then to a bigger Denon receiver then to a Denon integrated amp then to separate Adcom preamp/amp then to 2 mono-block amps ....