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Will using DC plug over a battery make preamp more powerful?

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:04 pm
by rfk
I just got a pre amp which has a 9volt battery option or a DC plug option 100v-120v. Will using the DC plug give me a more powerful sound or would it be exactly the same as the 9v battery?
cheers ;-)

edit: I should mention that is is being used with a bass guitar, DI'd into an interface to record. Looking to get a really full, subby sound

Re: Will using DC plug over a battery make preamp more power

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:11 pm
by samkablaam
not sure where your preamp goes in the chain, but the 9v battery will provide the same amount of power as the mains plug, which im guessing will be 9v. except your battery will wear out and you will notice that. so id just use the plug.

Re: Will using DC plug over a battery make preamp more power

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:28 pm
by drake89
120vDC? :o

Re: Will using DC plug over a battery make preamp more power

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:56 pm
by samkablaam
ha. im sure thats not right. it could be the input into the dc adapter, which means its american. or you misread V for mA, which could sound about right, bit low though

or someone that knows more about electronics answer...

Re: Will using DC plug over a battery make preamp more power

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:39 pm
by rob13572468
the mains adapter is a step down transformer (takes 120V down to 9-12V) + rectifier (converts AC to DC) and also usually some capacitors (for filtering).. The internal circuitry of the preamp is going to further regulate the power as well so to answer your question, no you will not see a difference in the amount of power/boost/ signal amplitude between using just the battery or the mains adapter...

now some guys have been known to mod their preamps to produce higher output... doing this involves opening up the preamp and finding the supply section and then modifying it to a higher voltage and then also modding the preamp circuitry to be able to produce more gain with the extra voltage now available. In That case then you would use a mains adapter with a higher voltage as well...

but yeah, without modification you arent going to see a difference...