Understanding electrical ground is critical when dealing with electrical systems (including amplifiers, preamplifiers and the like). What is amplifier ground, and where should we ground an amp? Amplifier ground refers to the ground wire that safely provides the least amount of electrical resistance to earth ground or chassis ground to minimize the chance of electrocution….
Amplifiers (and/or preamplifiers) are essential components in most practical audio signal chains and typically require electrical power to function properly. They’re used to drive loudspeakers and headphones, boost mic and instrument signals to usable levels, and for many other reasons. Why do audio amplifiers and preamplifiers need power supplies? Whether solid-state, tube-based or digital, audio…
If you’ve stumbled upon this article, you’ve likely been confused about the slew rate specification on an amplifier specifications sheet and want to know more about this rare and odd data point. What is amplifier slew rate, and how does it affect performance? Amplifier slew rate is a measurement of how quickly an amplifier is…
Audio amplifiers are required in nearly all playback environments and many recording situations as well. There are plenty of amplifier types out there, and a major distinction between amplifiers is the use of solid-state circuitry versus tube circuitry. What are the differences between solid-state and tube amplifiers? Solid-state amps use solid-state (transistor-based) amplifier circuits, while…
The damping factor is one of many equations that applies to audio equipment. When discussing the relationship between audio outputs (particularly amplifiers) and audio inputs (particular loudspeakers), the damping factor is somewhat lesser considered rating but important to know nonetheless. What is the damping factor between an amplifier and a loudspeaker? Damping factor (DF) is…
Whether separate units or built into other audio equipment (speakers, integrated amps, etc.), power amplifiers are critical components in any loudspeaker setup. With so many power amp options, it’s good to know how to read their specifications to get a good idea of how each amp will perform. What are power amplifier specifications? Power amplifier specifications,…
Impedance is a confusing topic when it comes to amplifiers, speakers and pretty much all other audio devices. If you’ve ever wondered what the ohm (Ω) rating meant on your amp and how it affects the amp’s performance in a system, this is the article for you! What is amplifier impedance? Audio amplifiers have inputs…
Amplifiers can be found all around us if we choose to look for them. They’re in our phones, televisions, entertainment systems, vehicles, shopping malls, and many other places. Though we may think of active amps when we think of amplifiers, there are also passive amplifiers that are common enough in our daily lives. What is…
In an audiophile’s quest to get the best audio from his pair of headphones, he often encounters a time when a headphone amplifier is necessary. For the regular headphone user, a headphone amp is still a consideration when choosing the best headphones for the most desirable listening experience. What is a headphone amplifier, and are…
So you’ve got your microphone, and you’re ready to go. Not so fast! You’ll also need some sort of microphone preamplifier to use the signal from your microphone effectively. What is a microphone preamplifier, and why does a mic need one? A mic preamp is a type of amplifier with the purpose of bringing mic…
When dealing with any kind of audio signal, amplification is often a necessary step between devices (microphones to mixers, mixers to loudspeakers, etc.). Amplifiers, as the name suggests, are needed to provide such amplification to the audio signals. Do microphones plug into amps? Microphones output mic levels signals which require amplification to become line level…
Some situations may call for plugging your mic(s) into a guitar or bass guitar amplifier. You could be in a jam space without a PA system or be looking to add crunchy distortion (and other effects) to your vocals. How do we plug a microphone into a guitar or bass amp? To plug a mic…
