Fear of volume control

invalid what preamp do you have?


I have a space tech labs tube preamp. 

@tablejockey 

"2-3:00 o'clock-okay for few cuts, but just not healthy for long term hearing, particularly those among us with confirmed damage."

Not a very bright statement.  2-3.00 o'clock is different on each set up.  What it pushes out is a function of the gain in the system and the efficiency of the speakers.

If you want to warn us about our aural health then please work in decibels, that are universal.

Hello,
There is a lot of truth to all of this. Most preamps have attenuated volume controls. You are adding sound the louder you go. Streamers and DACs are notorious for this. I have a set of -10db RCA adapters for my TT setup just so I can get the volume louder to get the best sound possible. I know that some manufacturers use a variable gain output like Ayre instead of attenuating the input so this is not an issue. Even at very low volume you get full range of sound. I prefer this route so the subs play at the correct volume no matter what source I listen to. So the next time you are listening to Vinyl turn down the gain on the phono preamp and crank the volume on your preamp/ integrated amp. You will be amazed. Just remember to turn it back down before you listen to another source so you don’t blow your speakers. 

I have found that listening at 80-85 dB is where I get everything from most recordings. I have a slip of paper in each of my albums that indicates what level on my amp makes the recording sound the best. Some are at 48 on my Hegel H390 and some are at 56 with many falling in between. I just listen until it sounds the best and then I measure the dB level at my listening position. The average dB is almost always between 80-85.

The loudness switch is a really good tool.