What problems can happen at high gain?

[cpemma]

I've a need to boost the voltage gain of a pair of TDA1514A chip amps to cope with the very low output from a portable CD player source.

Datasheet says top limit for the chip is 46dB, which I think is a voltage gain of 200; I reckon I need a voltage gain of about 90 (39dB) instead of the 30 it's currently set to with 20k & 680R.

Are there likely to be any undesired effects just increasing the gain? Should I be adding a pre-amp instead?

Quality hi-fi is not of the essence, the system is in a trailer, driving mid-fi outdoor speakers and running from a generator a few feet away

 

[Mr Evil]

Increased gain will give you the following undesirable effects:

• Increased noise
• Increased DC offset
• Increased THD
• Reduced bandwidth
• Other things I've forgotten

I doubt you'll have any problems. 39dB is still quite small.