2. amps-preamps
  3. 1173374721

No Pain No Gain?

I am wondering if anybody has some useful advice as to the true function of gain settings and their sonic effects other than volume control. I have a ML 32 which has the possibility set set gain for each input at 0/+6/+12/+18db and an EMMlabs CDSA-SE cd player that has a high/low gain option (I believe +14/+18db). What would be the optimal setting? Or is it totally based on personal taste, or is this functionality only really for matching volume levels for several differing sources?

Any helpful comments on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Henry
mtkhl567

Showing 3 responses by gregm

gregm
3,411 posts
 
Mainly:
1)Marakanetz
It's based on the sufficient input level to your amplifier
2)The output 20-20kHz impedance of the pre depending upon level (it may be identical at all settings or it may not).

Cheers
gregm
3,411 posts
 
the higher you need to turn up volume, the more you get distortion and/or noise
If so, there's something definitely wrong with the S/N -- the system noise floor is veru high, or gain stages, or...
I strongly suggest you check it out.
gregm
3,411 posts
 
Only if you put your ear on the tweeter and turn the volume past 3 quarters you start hearing a little hiss
No worry, looks like minimal thermal noise fm components. Natural.
For yr 32, optimise the gain setting by ear, for each source component. Use simple music, if possible a classical piece with cello. Adjust for maximum energy, dynamics, etc. Disregard "details", "soundstages" etc, at this point.
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