Look into the difference between gain control and volume control. In very, very simple terms, volume effects the outgoing signal but does not have any effect on the signal. It simply makes the signal “louder”. Gain control directly changes the amplitude of the incoming signal and has a distinct effect on the signal. The knobs on the back of your amp are gain, not volume. You can do something called “gain staging” where you do exactly what you are thinking and better matching the volume output to the amp gain and overall volume of the system. The trouble is when you “turn down” the gain knobs you are no longer getting the most out of your amp, plus adding potential noise into the incoming signal via the pot. With the knobs all the way to “max” they are effectively out of the signal path and your speakers are getting all the power the amp has. Play with it, see how it sounds. If you like the result, good to go. Otherwise, you may need to seek out a new preamp that is a better output level match for your amp.
... Should I be concerned?
Hello to all...
So here I am, back again, still trying to "tune" my budget rig to the max "best to me sound":
CD only setup with over 10 yr old Marantz SA8001, into a Tube Line-level preamp, into a Parasound HCA-750 power amp, with homemade speaker cables (12g solid core copper wire, twisted; bare wire on both ends), at back of speaker same wire bent into C-shapes as jumpers... Speakers are KEF Q1s (luv'um).
On the back of the Parasound, there are volume knobs (so you could use the amp direct without a preamp) which I have up full ( as recommended to me thru another topic line). When I play music, I have so little volume adjustment available: I can't really get past 8 o'clock (from starting at 7) without it being too loud...
One question I have is: will I be degrading the sound if I " adjust" the volume pots on the rear of the power amp, so that I can have more control over the volume knob on the pre? I guess I' be shooting for a 10-11 o'clock on the pre, and I'll assume it means a great decrease in the setting on the power amp.
Could another tact be: to replace the volume knob/pot with an articulated one, one that would click increases as I turn it?
This may be a foolish question - but any info or suggestions (other than criticism or sarcasm) would be greatly appreciated... Best Wishes to all - Be Well.
So here I am, back again, still trying to "tune" my budget rig to the max "best to me sound":
CD only setup with over 10 yr old Marantz SA8001, into a Tube Line-level preamp, into a Parasound HCA-750 power amp, with homemade speaker cables (12g solid core copper wire, twisted; bare wire on both ends), at back of speaker same wire bent into C-shapes as jumpers... Speakers are KEF Q1s (luv'um).
On the back of the Parasound, there are volume knobs (so you could use the amp direct without a preamp) which I have up full ( as recommended to me thru another topic line). When I play music, I have so little volume adjustment available: I can't really get past 8 o'clock (from starting at 7) without it being too loud...
One question I have is: will I be degrading the sound if I " adjust" the volume pots on the rear of the power amp, so that I can have more control over the volume knob on the pre? I guess I' be shooting for a 10-11 o'clock on the pre, and I'll assume it means a great decrease in the setting on the power amp.
Could another tact be: to replace the volume knob/pot with an articulated one, one that would click increases as I turn it?
This may be a foolish question - but any info or suggestions (other than criticism or sarcasm) would be greatly appreciated... Best Wishes to all - Be Well.
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- 39 posts total
volume effects the outgoing signal but does not have any effect on the signal. It simply makes the signal “louder”.😂 Clear as mud. And exactly backwards. Amplifiers are fixed gain. They multiply (amplify) input by a fixed amount. Volume controls are basically variable resistors. They trim or attenuate the signal. Where the volume knob is pointed, how far its turned, is one of the most irrelevant things in all of audio. If you think it matters, watch Spinal Tap until this sinks in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgx4k83zzc So no, you should not be concerned. |
No, you should not be concerned. You can either download or read the owner’s manual from Parasound, here: https://parasound.com/pdfs/vintage/hca750_1000om.pdf You’ll find instructions, under Level Controls, on page 7. Here’s a more detailed explanation, of what you’re facing: http://rftech.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/471/~/what-is-an-amplifier-gain-control%3F#:~:tex... Read the tutorials at the bottom of the page, for more insight. You’ll note, if you read the Parasound manual; it mentions that the amp will sound best with the level control set to max. That’s because at max, the control’s resistances (crappy traces, typically) are bypassed. Only you can judge whether a lower setting matters, to your ears. |
- 39 posts total