Better car audio, Tip #7: Set your amp gains properly

I edit the home A/V and pro audio articles on Crutchfield.com. It's a cool gig for a guy who's been seriously into audio since way before 1974.

I started buying records, guitars, and gear with the money I made mowing lawns and delivering newspapers. Now the way I earn my money has changed for the better, but where it goes hasn't changed too much.

I was employee #007 when I started at Crutchfield back in 1976. Seriously, I was the seventh person Bill Crutchfield hired. Back then we all did a bit of everything. I spent time answering customer calls, packing boxes for shipment, purchasing merchandise, and writing catalog pages.

I left Crutchfield in 1983 to finish college. Then I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor before returning to Crutchfield in 1993.

I returned just in time to participate in the launch of Crutchfield.com, the first big ecommerce site in consumer electronics. Having a hand in that process was a thrill and an honor. And just look at how much we've grown since then. It blows old 007's mind.

About Jim

• Wrote and edited hundreds of articles for Crutchfield.com
• Lifelong student of home audio gear
• Represented Crutchfield at countless trade shows like CES and CEDIA
• Attend dozens of vendor training events each year
• Plays guitar and sings in a couple of bands
• Local United Way board member