What volume for direct connection to power amp?

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What volume for direct connection to power amp?

Postby carbondated » Wed May 25, 2011 6:08 am

Question for all those out there who connect their iPod or computer directly to the input of an integrated tube amp or a power amp with a variable resistor at the source end. What's the optimal volume for the iPod output level for a direct connection? Steve Deckert says for his Decware amps:

>As a general rule you can add weight to a recording by turning the preamp up higher and the gain on the amp lower. The reverse is also true if a recording is too thick, just turn the gain on the amp higher and the volume on the preamp lower.

So for those of us running an analogue output from the computer into a preamp we actually have three gain controls: the software volume control (both the internal one within iTunes and the global system volume). Apple developer data puts the headphone out at 2.2V, though this is intended for use with low impedance earbuds (does this matter?). Then preamp volume control (presumably 50K or 100K at the front end), the finally the power amp's 100K pot before the input tube. So is there a best practice to control the gain throughout the chain, or just play it by ear on a case-to-case basis?

Input, please... :)
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Re: What volume for direct connection to power amp?

Postby tony » Wed May 25, 2011 7:26 am

just play it by ear on a case-to-case basis


you got it, you will find the you can play with the settings of the 2 pots and you will get your "optimum" sound....
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Re: What volume for direct connection to power amp?

Postby carbondated » Wed May 25, 2011 7:47 am

Thanks, Tony! Actually, make that two pots and a volume slider! Most modern pop songs are mixed way too hot :P

Audiophile nervosa... :D
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