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The psychological factor

Since I got a new amplifier a while ago, I have hesitated putting the volume control on the preamp past 12 o’clock because that was never a good choice with previous amps.  I was afraid I would overload the system.  I now find that factor was depriving me of the best sound I could obtain.
Placing it now at 12 or above, I’m now finally enjoying what the amp is truly capable of.
I wonder if anyone else has experienced anything like that.
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millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
If only there were some memorable way of showing just how irrelevant the numbers on the volume control are....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgx4k83zzc
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
I find 9 o’clock and 10 on my sugden class A is plenty loud driving my tannoys. This is for both cd and lp’s. To think it only has 30 watts into 8 ohms....I’d guess by the volume it is capable of putting out, it has a lot more, but most likely not. I Used to own a 100 watt rogue class D, and I still own a 90 watt marantz (now in storage),  and I miss neither.
jrwaudio
346 posts
 
I have an amp that outputs 500watts@8ohm 650@4ohms & 1,200 watts@1ohm also will do 65 amps for 500 milliseconds and If I set my ARC LS15 pre amp volume to the 10 o'clock position I can barely hear my wife scream!!
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,682 posts
 
I run the amp(s) @ 10, since anything 'upstream' controls the ultimate volumn.  In that fashion, the 'noise floor' is obvious....

One does have to be careful as to what to turn on when and how, but that becomes a matter of routine....
rvpiano's avatar
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rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
aewarren,

I think your right that every preamp has a sweet spot below which the sound is compromised.  I think I found it.
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