2. amps-preamps
  3. 186245-98867

Turning amp up - any limit? Maggies and Sanders Magetch.

I am using a Sanders Magtech power amp to drive Magnepan 3.7i speakers in a large room. For now I'm using a Parasound Halo integrated as the preamp. The sound is very good, but I have to go to halfway on the volume on the Parasound to get a good listening level, and for some recordings, much higher than that. Is there a point beyond which I should not turn it up (assuming I don't hear any signs of distortion/clipping)? 

Thanks!

 

mouweleen
jl35
4,017 posts
 

how far the dial goes up is irrelevant, that speaks to the amp/preamp match, and also the source...technically, I think, the higher on the dial the less distortion from the volume control....but your system deserves a much better preamp...;

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,204 posts
 

Does the Magtech have clipping LEDs? If those start to flicker back off a bit on the volume control.

mouweleen OP
1 posts
 

Thanks for the responses. JL35, I should have mentioned, I'd love suggestions on a good preamp match. As for sources, I'm using a VPI Classic turntable with an Ortofon MC cartridge, a Ray Samuels XR-2 phono preamp, an Oppo UDP-205 disc player, and Sonos. 

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 

The position of the volume knob in relation to spl is a result of the input sensitivity of the power amp more than anything else. It tells you nothing about how much power the amp is putting into the speaker. That power can be determined with the use of meter (measuring voltage iirc). Do a Google search for details on how to do it.

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