AR SP8 mk2 high output volume

This just keeps going around in circles, if you don’t like the sound when it’s used as an integrated, change the source to one you like, instead of coloring it with that premp, and then having your problem of way too much gain.

Just look at the specs of the A30, it’s at FULL POWER already with ONLY 0.5v (500mV) input from a source. Most sources today put out well over 2v!!!

So just use it as is with it’s own passive volume control, and remember Nelson Pass saying to you ("psychological need" to turn it up more) than when the AR pre is in and then sell it.

Nelson Pass,

“We’ve got lots of gain in our electronics. More gain than some of us need or want. At least 10 db more.

Think of it this way: If you are running your volume control down around 9 o’clock, you are actually throwing away signal level so that a subsequent gain stage can make it back up.

Routinely DIYers opt to make themselves a “passive preamp” - just an input selector and a volume control.

What could be better? Hardly any noise or distortion added by these simple passive parts. No feedback, no worrying about what type of capacitors – just musical perfection.

And yet there are guys out there who don’t care for the result. “It sucks the life out of the music”, is a commonly heard refrain (really - I’m being serious here!). Maybe they are reacting psychologically to the need to turn the volume control up compared to an active preamp.”

Cheers George

BTW I do not recommend tampering with the feedback resistor- such things can lead to oscillation

tenoris OP

This is why I say get a tech (not yourself) to disconnect the Alps passive, change the gain with the feedback to half of what it is, as he will scope it and compensate for stability.
And then once that is done you can use your AR preamp which you are so insistent on using, with the volume up around or over 12 o’clock. And this is what you searching for.

Cheers George

Quite often George and I disagree, but not here.

@mrdecibel  This 'integrated' amp does not employ a separate gain stage for a preamp section. Its a power amp circuit (a variant of the Williamson circuit) and simply has enough gain that any source with a maximum output of 1 volt (such as an old school cassette deck) can easily drive it to full output. 

@atmasphere , that is what I said, or....what I meant. A volume control / switcher, straight, without a gain stage ( passive ) to the power amp section. If I was not clear, I apologize.

@Georgehifi I will not make decisions because they are necessary to respect the Nelson Pass Bible. In hifi there are many factors at play and I believe that Nelson Pass will be compassionate if in my house I am satisfied with a result that alters one of his commandments, and that according to other colleagues are saying, and according to what I am listening it is perfectly audible and satisfactory by the reasons being said. I respect your reasoning, but It is much easier than going to a technician and if we add everything that includes the sum of factors that influence the final result, it would be necessary to be very sure that this Nelson Pass mandate prevails over all other factors and responds to a perfectly palpable injury from my chair.
if this AR + Puresound A30 set won’t sound very good to my ears, I wouldn’t have worried about excess gain at all. thanks really for your help