2. amps-preamps
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How hard is this on a tube pre amp?

I have an audio research ref2 mkII going in to a proceed hpa2. You know those low signal channels, the ones that sometimes you record awesome live shows from? Well.... I feel kinda uneasy cranking the pre past 12 to 1:00 on the dial, but 3 sounds prett dang sweet.. Am I driving the crap out of the tubes?

It's gotten better, ( louder signal ) since going balanced from the oppo 105. But still, some things really have to be cranked.
no_money
arh
366 posts
 
The volumn control is really an attenuator. You are not hurting anything by turning it up louder. This also will have no bearing on tube life. Enjoy
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
FWIW, I sometimes push my Ref 5 SE to 80+ clicks out of 104 total clicks when playing some records. Kal said I won't hurt the Ref 5. If you want to be certain, e mail Kal. He's very responsive.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
wow how loud do you need??
ref2 already seems to be a high gain pre, but turning it to 3:00 -- chances you're hard either on speakers or amp.
no_money OP
638 posts
 
It's not really that loud since the recorded signal is low. It's about as loud as 11:00 on most standard CDs. (Rock)
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
It seems to me that you have a lack of input level and using player with weak signal.
There are players that have 2v output and perhaps you should look for the one instead of what you have.
Your volume settings past 12:00 should realy shake the house while moderate volumes should between 9:00 -- 10:00 or 10:00 -- 11:00
Your tubes in preamp pretty much 'don't care' about your volume settings. Oppo players have only 1v output.
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