I used to have a full-tube setup with an Air Tight ATM-2 and later on a Leben CS1000p, which are both quite famous for their musicality. Both had a volume control in their input stages even though they are power amplifiers (mainly to accommodate preamps with very high gain like CJ & ARC ones). And it doesn’t prevent them being among the best tube amps out there.
Class A Tube integrated amp running 100% volume
Hi, has anyone tried this?
I have a Theta DAC, passive pre-amp and a prototype Class A 2A3 integrated amp (all tube from PSU through to output transformers). The amp sounds great but due to it being a prototype has a volume pot and switch that (let's be kind) aren't the best (and creaky). If I plug in my passive pre (with switched resistors) and have the volume on the integrated at 100%, the sound quality is elevated brilliantly. Now, obvious question. Am I damaging my amp running at 100% volume even though my pre-amp is attenuating?
Thank you for your help in what might seem a really dumb question.