2. amps-preamps
  3. 1190323342

Ideal Volume level

I've heard that preamps work best when the volume is set higher, and also that if you turn the volume past 12 o'clock you will destroy something...

This last comment seems to be too general, since the gain of the preamp will have a lot to do with this.

Here's why I am asking; most of the preamps I've owned had a gain of 20db, and the volume knob seldom reached the 10 o'clock position. Now I have a preamp with a gain of 11.5 db, and with some recordings I find myself listening at 12'oclock or a bit higher. Everything sound fine, no distortion at all, and the amp is far from clipping (I think). But, should I be concerned???

Here's the gear in case it helps:
Pre: Audio research SP16L with 11.5 db gain
Amp: Belles 350a ref with input sensitivity of 1.98V (500 WPC at 4 ohms)
Speakers: 4 ohms and 86DB
CDP puts out 0-2.2 V

Thanks for helping :)
htrookie
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
If grey colored snot starts dripping out of your ears or nose, then your volume level is too high...your brain has just had a meltdown :-)
davemitchell
253 posts
 
Sugarbrie is correct. Your preamplifier's natural state would be to have the volume control all the way up. Any setting lower than that is attenuating the output from where it wants to be.

The position of the volume control is also meaningless. Where you end up is a function of the relationship between the source/signal you are listening to and the preamp's gain combined with amplifier and speaker sensitivity. Volume position can be radically different for each source. For example: if you have a low output MC phono cartridge (as I do) you may find that on some records you can "peg" your preamp's volume without getting as loud as you would like. And that is perfectly fine.

With older preamps that use a potentiometer for volume control, the higher up the pot, the better the sound because the pot is an impediment in the signal path and at higher settings you are listening to less of the pot. Many modern preamps (like the ARC SP16 mentioned) no longer have a pot in the signal path, but instead use a reistor network or ladder that provides nearly identical performance at any volume setting.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Thanks Davemitchell, I finally understand the mystery of volume control settings and why there use to be a "sweet spot".
htrookie OP
12 posts
 
Wow; didn't expect so many great answers.

I really don't listen very loud, normally. Probably 90-95 db would be the norm (peaks at these levels).

Thanks!!!!
mlsstl
1,435 posts
 
A resistor ladder does nothing different than a potentiometer. It just does it more precisely (assuming high quality components and design.)

Think of it this way. A pot or ladder simply dumps part of the signal overboard. The earlier description of a preamp with no volume control being at full blast is correct.

Volume attenuation devices can also be placed at different spots in the gain stages of a preamp circuit. They do not automatically result in an increase in noise floor or a decrease in dynamic range.
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