Sorry for the confusion, I should not have differentiated volume from anemic and lacking punch. Volume is the variable I am referring to. Even though I have been doing vinyl for about 3 years, I am a novice when it comes to these sensitivity, tonearm weight,loading, etc., technical issues. My phono preamp is connected to a Cayin tube integrated amp. At the 71db setting the volume is equivalent to the CD volume and sits at 9 o'clock. At the 58db setting I have to crank the volume from the 9 o'clock setting to the 2 o'clock setting to get an equivalent volume. That's almost max. I don't have a problem with turning down the volume after I listen to vinyl, what I'm not sure of whether the 71db setting is optimal.
Correct Phono Preamp Gain Setting
I have a Blue Circle Audio phono preamp with fixed gain settings of 58 and 71db. My cartridge is an Ortofon Cadenza Red with an output voltage of .45uv.
The KAB parameters chart indicates the setting should be in the low to mid-fifties. However, the setting at 58db and specifically the volume is too low. It sounds great, but is anemic, has no punch, and is not loud enough for my listening. On the other hand, the setting at 71db provides more than adequate volume without distortion. Unfortunately, I cannot do a direct A/B comparison to gauge quality differences. Are my ears deceiving me at 71db or do I need to set at the lower gain and purchase an SUT?
The KAB parameters chart indicates the setting should be in the low to mid-fifties. However, the setting at 58db and specifically the volume is too low. It sounds great, but is anemic, has no punch, and is not loud enough for my listening. On the other hand, the setting at 71db provides more than adequate volume without distortion. Unfortunately, I cannot do a direct A/B comparison to gauge quality differences. Are my ears deceiving me at 71db or do I need to set at the lower gain and purchase an SUT?