Most car stereo components include provisions for setting signal gains and/or levels. These settings can have a profound effect on the fidelity and performance of the sound system. Hiss noises, maximum sound pressure level, distortion and the effective dynamic range of the audio system can be seriously affected by these adjustments.     Follow these tips and you might be surprised how much a difference simple adjustments can make.

OPERATE AT HIGH LEVELS
    Operate every accessory at the highest internal signal levels possible before they distort unacceptably. Use preamplifiers or resistor divider networks if necessary when gain or level adjustments are not available or when they are of poor quality.

MINIMIZE GAINS
    Obtain necessary signal levels with minimum gain adjustments. Try to keep the gain or level adjustments on each piece of equipment as close to their 1x or 0db gain positions as possible.
    Avoid setting output levels lower than necessary. Any excess level reductions will require excess gain somewhere else in the system which will needlessly amplify noise and distortion.
    The fidelity of most equipment suffers when their gain adjustments are used. Use a high performance preamplifier when significant gains are needed.

PUSH GAIN FORWARD
    When required, gain should be applied as close as possible to the signal source. Try to apply gain before processors to avoid amplifying their noises needlessly.