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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
tooblue
1,953 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
214 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.  
geof3
1,129 posts
 
Yeah, the P6 gain is very incremental and the range is 0-99. What's really nice about it is doesn't loose any SQ in the lower realms. Mine gets in the "sweet spot" around 60-70. That gives me a comfortable "loud". Running it with an A21.
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