Not ENOUGH GAIN

Yep, Onhwy61 and others are right on.

I think you might look at in a different manner though. A pre-amplifier's amplifying section comes after the volume control an is always seen by the amp at its full output (gain). The volume control is an attenuator between your source and the pre-amp's amplifier section. When fully rotated the VC is allowing the gain of the source to pass to the pre-amp at full value. When the VC is rotated counter-wise it reduces the gain from the source, it does not reduce the gain from the pre-amp itself, nothing does - it is a constant.

Make sense to you? Take our word for it, you're in hog heaven.

A pre-amplifier's amplifying section comes after the volume control and is always seen by the amp at its full output (gain).

Very often the case, but I can think of two manufacturers that implement the volume control after the gain section of the preamp and at the output.

Clio, I'm sure you are right, but I don't understand the value of such an arrangement unless you are using an attenuator with fixed impedance values so the impedance value seen by the amp is constant. Is that not why most amplifying sections come after the attenuator?

I guess in hog heaven an attenuator with fixed impedance values coming after the preamp' amplifying section could be optimum as it would not only control volume it would lower the pre-amps noise level as seen by the amp something of much value and could also make interface with various amp input sensitivity levels more efficiently. No more problem with high gain pre-amps and high sensitivity amp inputs, a common real problem. Keeps Rothwell busy I think.

Do you know why they actually use such a configuration? Do you know why they don't?

Onhwy61, Yes that makes sense,I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to give me there advise,everything sounds great and is working as it should,just not use to having gain at the end of the vc.Thank you Maxwell

Why does it matter if the volume knob is set at 7? 7 is completely arbitrary.

Assuming your source has a fairly normal output voltage, your preamp should have plenty of gain to drive your amplifier to full power.

The real question is, at maximum volume, is your amp + preamp combination able to drive the speakers to the loudest you ever care to listen to?

If so, there is no problem.