Line-level output
TL;DR
Line-level output is the standard consumer audio signal level - about 2 Vrms peak from RCA jacks, ~4 Vrms from balanced XLR. This is the level between components (DAC to amp), not the speaker-level output that drives speakers.
Line level is the standard voltage range used between audio components. Consumer line level is nominally -10 dBV (about 0.316 Vrms average, ~2 Vrms peak). Professional line level is +4 dBu (about 1.23 Vrms average, ~4 Vrms peak).
Common examples
- DAC RCA output – consumer line level (~2 Vrms peak)
- DAC XLR output – pro line level (~4 Vrms peak)
- Turntable output – much lower, needs phono stage to reach line level
- Speaker output – much higher (10-50 Vrms peak) – never plug into line input!
Matching
Amp input is designed for line level. Sources significantly hotter than 2 Vrms can overload consumer inputs. Sources much lower than line level (turntable, mic) need pre-amplification.
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