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... How I should set the volume...

Hello to all...

New to me in my system is a vintage Parasound  HCA-750A power amp, which I initially listened to directly using the volume controls on the back. But I am getting ready to experiment with Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth/Spotify, so I've hooked in the cheapo Monoprice 50w tube amp with Bluetooth and Preamp out I was using as an integrated, and am now using it as a preamp/conduit for Wi-Fi...

How should I set the volume on the back of the Parasound: full-on, somewhere in the middle, or virtually off? I'm thinking the full on would be taking a "voice" at full level distortion once it entered the Parasound with whatever distortion is coming in from the Monoprice - correct? With that thought - I should set the back so that my normal (?) listening level at about 10-11o'clock...

Please advise the most correct, distortion-free way to set this up.

Thanks to all...
insearchofprat

Showing 1 response by georgehifi

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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
insearchofprat
Please advise the most correct, distortion-free way to set this up.

Always best for noise to use as much of the source’s gain as you can.

Wind you sources volume up to a couple of notches back from full up with your quietest recording. Then while listen to this set the rear passive volume on the Parasound for the max loudness you listen to. That gives you a little more in reserve on the source if you play anything even more quite than you had.

NB: And if the sources volume control is done in the digital domain, this way ensures that you won't do any "bit stripping" (loss of resolution) because the source volume is down too low. 

Cheers George
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