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Best Volume Settings?

I have read various past threads concerning volume settings to achieve the best performance. In the latest issue of Stereophile, reviewer Jim Austin addresses this topic in the review of the Benchmark DAC3. He stated " most systems achieve their best noise performance in the top half of their volume range". Additionally he also stated " with the DAC3 set to its highest output level - the default setting - it was too hot in my system".

Interesting concept, so I decided to experiment with the volume controls with both my Hegel HD25 DAC and Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated Amp. As with the Benchmark, the default level setting for Hegel was its highest setting at 100. As a comparison, I reduced the Hegel's output level to 80 and using a db meter I then adjusted the PL to match the volumes as best as I could. As a baseline, I tried to achieve the average output volume of around 85dB which wasn't easy based on the dynamics of various recordings. With the Hegel set to 100, the PL volume control was approximately between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock. With Hegel set to 80, the PL volume control was between 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock depending on the recording. All the recordings included voices which I always use as a guide to determine the best sound. The recordings included early rock music and female singers from various genre. In order to do a true comparison, I switched the order of the output levels with each recording since our minds can play tricks on which sounds better.

So here are my results. Overall the system sounded best with the Hegel set to 80. At the setting of 100, it sometimes sounded a bit smeared or glaring. With some recordings it wasn't so easy to distinguish any differences. So is it the Hegel set at the max level or the PL set at the top half of the volume range or both? Either way the Hegel will no longer be set to the max.

I appreciate if anyone has had similar results with both the input and output levels.



ronrags
ronrags's avatar
ronrags OP
283 posts
 
@gdhal I agree there is a balance between the settings. I wanted to experiment based on the reviewers comments if there was some validity. So I decided to set a baseline volume in order to hear any differences. It was easier to distinguish differences at 85db than 75db. The volume control range on the Primaluna is also between 7 and 5 o'clock as stated by m-db so the 12 or 1 o'clock positions is are not at the extreme. 

@georgehifi you are probably correct with the digital domain set below 75%. After experimenting with the Hegels level at 80, I decided to set it at 90. The point being at the extreme setting of 100 there was a slight reduction of sound quality.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

"All amps distort the more their volume is raised"

That may be true but not necessarily through the entire volume range. The higher distortion at the (very) low portion of the volume range is a fairly widely agreed upon artifact of most amplifiers. Same is probably true for most attenuators perhaps with the exception of the fancier step resistors, etc. One other thing to keep in mind is many attenuators do not have linear adjustments by design and the lower portions of the control are coarser than the higher range, etc.    

mesch
3,529 posts
 
There are many preamps that provide too much gain when paired with the higher voltage outputs of many digital sources. The ability to reduce the output from these sources allows for less attenuation within the preamp. Often a sonic benefit.
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
@kalali 

Good point, You are correct. My previous statement "All amps distort the more their volume is raised" is not entirely accurate, but the spirit of what I meant is that lowest distortion occurs when the volume is lowest.

This is a pretty good article (IMO) that, among other things, dives rather deep into distortion, the various types of distortion, causes and so on. 
http://www.rocketroberts.com/techart/amp.htm
ronrags's avatar
ronrags OP
283 posts
 
Thanks for your various points of view so there is no correct answer depending upon the source and pre/amp design and specs. It was interesting and educational performing this experiment and is food for thought for anyone interested experimenting themselves.
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