If Preamp Gain is Set to High-What Consequences?

If I was not clear in my original post, the internal gain setting was set by a Joule technician to its highest setting (measured at 15db). The gain control on the front (the volume control) is what I can turn up 25-30% on 2 of my sources and up to 40% on my other sources before the speakers get too loud.

Thanks for the information Newbee, but I'm not confusing anything. The gain of the Joule can be set internally from lower to higher by changing the position of jumpers on a circuit board. The Joule technician set "gain select" at the highest setting, a measured 15db. This leaves me with much less play in the volume control (Joule calls it "gain" on the faceplate). I'm wondering if the gain-select jumpers had been set to a lower setting and I had more play in the volume control than I currently have, if that would improve the sonics or make no difference. For example if I had the ability to turn the voulume as high as the 50% point rather than being limited to 25-40%.

Thank you Al, as always.