Any truth to unregulated power supply amps

[bassman]

Will they make more power with more voltage than 14.4 going in?

[shawn k]

Yes and no. It really depends on the amplifier. An amplifier with an unregulated power supply will provide more power with higher voltage applied, but it's also not so simple. The amp might have over-voltage protection which will shut the amp down if voltage is too high. Also, the amp may not be designed with the intention of raising the input voltage. The components that actually make up an amp each have their very own "working voltage". Some of which will not handle any significant increase in input voltage.

One example off the top of my head would be the PG ZPA (unregulated power supply) input filter caps. From the factory, they're only rated for 16v (silly imo... and I do own 4 of these amps). Obviously one wouldn't want to increase the input voltage on these amps without upgrading these caps at the very least.

There are some amps out there though, that will respond quite well to higher voltage. Most of these however, do not have protection circuits or the circuits have been bypassed.

[Stryker]

lots of amps can run higher than 14.4 mostly SPL competition centered type. some up to 18v.
Most street use applications are geared towards 14.4 with some leeway for up to 16v safely.
it really is not going to make a ton of difference for an everyday daily setup....
So yes, some amps can take alot of voltage and make alot more power butcertainly not all.

[bassman]

Just as I thought.

A sales person at Alpine told me the more input the more output..... Today I brought home a power supply that will do from 1 to 70 volts @ 70 amps

[shawn k]

I'ld really like to see what the ZPA's could do with 16-18v. Considering they have a completely discrete input stage, it wouldn't take a lot of modding to make it work (mostly swapping the input and rail caps). I'm sure these would be absolute beasts with this kind of input.

[denim]

Good topic. I think in today's market, regulated amplifiers are a better solution for the masses. Little bit of semi-stupidproofing.

[shaheen]

are you sure the alpine dude meant input power and not input voltage as in preamp voltage.