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Parasound P6 Volume control increments.

Greetings everyone. I am currently auditioning a Parasound P6 preamp and I really like it. Very musical and also I find it neutral. Super quiet. I noticed that to you don't get any substantial volume until you get to about 50 in the volume display and up from there. I think it goes from 0-100. At around 65 it really gets going but I don't understand why Parasound chooses this level of step control. I am running it with a Krell KAV 250A Power Amp and Marantz Sa11 S1 completely balanced. Table is a Rega Planar 6/ Exact. Obviously you get a gain of 6 DB when using a balanced connection. I have also emailed Parasound and I am waiting to hear a response. I appreciate any kind of input. Thanks to all and stay safe and healthy. 
pivetta
pivetta OP
46 posts
 
Hi too blue. It sounds very nice. Perhaps a bit dark which is my preference but I would say neutral. This sample has very little playing time so a bit longer break in period may benefit. Extremely quiet. The phone stage is excellent at this price point however I would upgrade to something better. I also have the Project S2 phono box and at $399 retail is killer. A touch tube but never syrupy. 
tooblue
1,927 posts
 
Would be interested on their response to your perceived issue with the volume control, as I ststed before, in my system, systems that would be a desirable issue. Good luck and enjoy the music. 
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Completely,normal.
 My,McCormack is the,same way. 
 It is a great volume knob, it goes up in volume at .5 dB increments.

 Enjoy!
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
206 posts
 
FWIW, I have a P5 running into a B&K EX-442 Sonata and the volume control acts similarly.  The control knob (no digital display on the P5) typically sits at 12 o'clock - the P5's halfway point - before things really open up.  Depending on the material's recording levels, I sometimes need to bump it up past 12 o'clock before it gets to the optimum listening level I'm looking for (maybe 70-ish dB SPL +/- 5 on a guess).
pivetta OP
46 posts
 
I am sure it is normal after reading some of your responses. I will share Parasound's response most likely tomorrow. Currently I own a Classe 6 MK II which has HUGE gain and at 12 o'clock I may as well be at a rock concert. I do like the P6 preamp a lot and it is extremely musical, which is always what I personally look for. VERY QUIET. Easy on the ear, however not veiled, bright (which I despise) it has tone controls which I tried and they very transparent. Tons of features and the phono section is quite good. Thanks to all for your responses and more to follow.  
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