diff --git a/lib/hackrf/hackrf_sink_c.cc b/lib/hackrf/hackrf_sink_c.cc
index 120b271..3a1e7da 100644
--- a/lib/hackrf/hackrf_sink_c.cc
+++ b/lib/hackrf/hackrf_sink_c.cc
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ hackrf_sink_c::hackrf_sink_c (const std::string &args)
   set_sample_rate( get_sample_rates().start() );
   set_bandwidth( 0 );
 
-  set_gain( 14 ); /* enable AMP gain stage by default */
+  set_gain( 0 ); /* disable AMP gain stage by default to protect full sprectrum pre-amp from physical damage */
 
   set_if_gain( 16 ); /* preset to a reasonable default (non-GRC use case) */
 
diff --git a/lib/hackrf/hackrf_source_c.cc b/lib/hackrf/hackrf_source_c.cc
index f647b80..e3b3ea4 100644
--- a/lib/hackrf/hackrf_source_c.cc
+++ b/lib/hackrf/hackrf_source_c.cc
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ hackrf_source_c::hackrf_source_c (const std::string &args)
   set_sample_rate( get_sample_rates().start() );
   set_bandwidth( 0 );
 
-  set_gain( 14 ); /* enable AMP gain stage by default */
+  set_gain( 0 ); /* disable AMP gain stage by default to protect full sprectrum pre-amp from physical damage */
 
   set_if_gain( 16 ); /* preset to a reasonable default (non-GRC use case) */