Will changing gain affect frequency response?


NOT talking about increasing the volume at the listening position by turning the volume up...

Rather, with volume kept more or less constant at the listening position, is there some technical reason for things sounding a bit brighter when the pre-amp's gain setting is increased from -10 db to 0 db (again, volume adjusted downward, accordingly) OR is it my imagination?

Think I've encountered this with my pre-amp and most recently by altering the gain setting on my phono pre-amp.  Increasing the gain by moving the jumper to the highest position seems like it opened up the sound from the Grado cart I run.  

Hence the question...will changing gain affect frequency response? 

Thanks in advance.


128x128ghosthouse
Thanks, Al.  Does sound like there are few possible hardware-based explanations for what I thought I heard.  
Seems I missed(spaced) the part where you brought the volume back down, at the listening position.    Kinda obviates Fletcher-Munson from the conversation(sorry).
It's like a glass of water, if you fill up all the way, you will have to limit yourself on the speed of carrying that glass of water because not enough 
'headroom' left to keep water stable inside.
If you do not fill up, than you might be still thirsty and desire more water in your glass. So the goal is to reach sufficient level of water so it doesn't spill and it fills you up.


czarivey
3,215 posts
09-13-2016 12:10pm
It's like a glass of water, if you fill up all the way, you will have to limit yourself on the speed of carrying that glass of water because not enough 'headroom' left to keep water stable inside. If you do not fill up, than you might be still thirsty and desire more water in your glass. So the goal is to reach sufficient level of water so it doesn't spill and it fills you up.

Maybe substitute the word vodka for water.