Audio Research SP16 annoying volume control

Or consider something like the Rothwell attenuators. Might be your cheapest solution. I haven't tried them, but heard good things about them. Search the discussions for Rothwell Attenuators. They might do the trick.

Audio Research has a taper volume kit...or whatever they call it. It allows more steps at lower range so it doesn't get too loud too quick. And you can reduce gain of this preamp. Call ARC and talk to them. Reducing gain will solve that issue. It may also have a positive effect on overall noise floor of the preamp, have smoother highs and less forward mids, but at a possible expense of overall bass drive. bass may become a bit softer.

Mating a preamp with an amp, you need to consider several things, such as gain of preamp, gain of amp, amp sensitivity, preamp output impedance, amp input impedance.

What you're experiencing is not unusual. it isn't a design flaw of an ARC preamp. It's a simple mismatch between your preamp and your amp.

I had similar issues with my ARC LS-15.
I swithced to LS-25 that has more volume steps and it helped, but the solution was delivered by adjustable gain of LS-25. I used it only on lower gain setting. That really helps. That's why I suggested lowering the output gain of your SP-16. Or get another preamp. One of the best volume controls I've seen on a preamp is on Sonic Frontiers. You really can not ask for a finer adjustment. I think it has 180 steps or close to that number anyway. You can fine tune that volume control. It's really nice.

so Andrew, are you saying tghat reducing gain is a waste of time and money and it won't help? interesting...