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Gain Staging
Definition
Gain staging is matching the signal level at each point in the chain so the next device gets what it expects. Too little level raises the noise floor. Too much level drives a stage into clipping.
Each connection has an expected pairing: phono into a phono input, line level into a line input, speaker level into speakers.
In a stereo system
Set source output, preamp volume, and power-amp gain so the preamp is not slammed against its limit while the power amp is still barely moving. If a source has a variable output, start moderate and raise the preamp, then fine-tune.
Common mistakes:
- Plugging a speaker output into a line input
- Sending phono output into a line input without a phono stage
- Running a DAC's digital volume near minimum and compensating with huge amp gain
Correct gain staging is quiet at idle, clean at peaks, and uses the volume control in a usable range.
