Does reducing gain setting on power amp increase chance of clipping?

     One uses such a control to set a maximum voltage into the amp. As long as that voltage is somewhere below the voltage required to overdrive/clip the amp: it simply can’t.

     As long as that voltage can still drive the amp and speakers, to a level that satisfies your cravings: you’re golden.

       Have you ever listened to your rig, with the volume control turned to max?

       Unless you've adjusted the amp's gain, to a point too low to satisfy: I can't think of a reason.

       otoh: If the combination of your sources and preamp is capable (at any control setting) of outputting a clipped signal: that very high frequency distortion*, if your amp has the bandwidth, could possibly be amplified and passed to your tweeters.

      It doesn't take a lot of clipped signal/voltage, to heat up most tweeters.   

       *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_(audio)#:~:text=Clipping%20is%20a%20form%20of,current%20beyond%20its%20maximum%20capability.&text=In%20the%20frequency%20domain%2C%20clipping,comes%20closer%20to%20a%20squarewave).

No. As long as the voltage of the signal (set by the gain) is less than the rail voltage it will not clip.

BTW, never set the volume to 100% before sending the signal through.  You never know.

Amplifier gain is fixed, never variable. In reality what your "gain reduction" is limiting is the amplifier input level. In other words more like "maximum volume lock". What this does will depend on how it works. The vast majority of volume controls are really attenuators. If smooth then a variable attenuator or trim pot. If stepped then a stepped attenuator with a lot of different value resistors.

Either way, the max is limited by setting a minimum amount of attenuation. In other words like beyond a certain point turning the volume up no longer turns the volume up. It doesn't limit the amp. It limits the input to the amp.

“never variable “ …wow, just now I am listening to a variable gain aka negative feedback amp…I can flick a switch …and change both…. like i say pick your expert carefully…

Music Reference RM-9, from a measure and listen genius Roger Modjeski ( RIP )

I am an EL-34 burning Robot