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.
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xrvpiano
I find the time of day is synergistic with the control position.
So 8.00pm when I'm wide awake I set it at 8.00.
By 11.00pm I'm getting dozy and find 11.00 best.
But if I really get into it and listen until 3.00am then I set at 3.00 - good and loud, so I don't fall asleep.
I'm thinking of getting a motorised control that automatically moves the control slowly to the right so I don't have to keep getting up from my chair.

People with remotes don't have this trouble  Their settings are like   24, 37, 54 or 116.
Perhaps squares will sound best - 25,   49,   81  or whatever.
If that's right then cubes and fourth powers must be better or settings that are powers of more than one root, 64 would be good.

Remote users, please let us know!
My ARC  LS15 pre amp has a remote that is very convenient and I can also control the volume with my Exogal Comet plus DAC through my phone or the remote that came with the Exogal
I typically set the Exogal to 100 and let the LS 15 do the volume control. I wish my SVS Ultra 13 Sub had a remote though. For my listening, it's not the the quanity of volume, but rather the quality of the volume 
The situation will be different with resistor ladders and the like, but don't conventional pots (e.g. ALPS) have an optimal sonic operational range, which is usually about mid-way between min and max?

     I utilize the spacing, intensity and duration of my wife's incessant high amplitude screeches to "turn that friggin noise down", along with a quick subjective estimation of the quantity, size and weight of all the household objects being simultaneously thrown at my head,  as a general guideline pertaining to the proper setting of my preamp's volume control. 
     I really appreciate her altruistic devotion to the continued safe operation of my gear and hearing capacities.  Are all you guys and gals this lucky?

Bless her,
   Tim