The effect of different gain settings on the photoacoustic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). LNA, low noise amplifier; VGA, voltage controlled amplifier. LNA parameter values 0, 1, and 2 correspond to amplifications of 16, 18, and 21 dB; VGA parameter values 0, 1, 2, and 3 correspond to amplifications of 21, 24, 27, and 30 dB, respectively.