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Understanding the volume knob...

216.81.255.192

I posted this in another forum and nobody came back with any answers.
I thouht I'd try this one and see what anyone has to say.

I'm a little confused, can anyone help me answer this question?
Years ago all the audio gear volume knobs worked pretty much the same. There were of course different levels of quality, but in general the "maximum" position of the knob in relation to the "maximum" output from the amplifer was ultimatly determined by the source input, (I'm speaking in terms of the days of only vinyl and reel or casette tape). You could however, accept with these types of input signals most equipment reached "maximum" at the 3 oclock position.

Now here is the digital stuff and I see volume knobs nolonger marked, but instead I have a digital display telling me I am at -whatever up to 0db then continue to +whatever.

I know the reading, (for example -25), cannot always mean -25 since the source material is not constant, but what if I turn it up to +10. Am I asking to clip the pants on the pre-amp section for the signal going into my amplifier?

Is there a general "maximum" such as the old 3 oclock position as in older equipment?

Thanks, in advance, for any help offered.


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Topic - Understanding the volume knob... - JimH 06:47:29 01/03/02 (13)


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