Gain / Amplification

Here is the link. 
 

All transistor amps/preamps measure best at full throttle. So, no matter what you do you will not be operating in the best power range. 

 

Ok, dumb question maybe….maybe the more troll-like members could chill on this one.

Nice polemic opening. 😉
(But many of the “trolls” seem to be more rooted in engineering and theory.)

I was just wondering, is there likely a quality-of-sound difference between utilizing maximum gain (say, out of a CD player, to keep it a simple scenario) and needing much less amplification from your amp, or is it in any way different to set your CD gain/output volume at a lower level and let your amp do its job? Let’s say balanced connections, so that’s added gain as well.

Yeah a lower gain amp usually has lower noise.

With balanced amped are not uncommon to find ~20dB of gain, and single ended are normally about 26dB of gain.

Question just kind of occurred to me when I fired up my Oppo for first time in awhile and it was **LOUD**. Which is not an issue, I was just wondering, circuit design-wise and engineering-wise, should one or the other provide a better sound ?

Whether one can hear the lower noise is pretty questionable as the room is usually noisier than the amp, but tweeter his should be lower, and might be noticeable??

But if one is running a passive pre, then lower CD output and less attenuation in the passive is better.

Lower gain in amp and higher gain in pre could be better for two reasons:

- It moves more gain to electrically quieter environment (pre)
- It reduces relative electrical noise pickup by interconnect.

Of course it depends how power amp reduces the gain (my AHB2 has three gain positions).  If it is just divider at the input then first point doesn't apply, but reduction of IC noise pickup is still important.
 

If it is just divider at the input then first point doesn’t apply, but reduction of IC noise pickup is still important

It totally applies there @kijanki - imagine 10 nV on the IC and then amplifying that small, medium or large.

Small is always smaller than large, and noise will be smaller.
The only reason to go to medium or large is if it not loud enough.

That is a good amp you have, but maybe you can see (hear) if it makes a difference with the music not playing?
(Turn the pre amp +way+ up.)