Preamp output voltage...affect on volume???

I realized I aksed my question incorrectly. What I am wondering is if given the conditions described above, will the preamp that outputs 50 vrms sound louder than the preamp that outputs 20 vrms, assuming both are set at the same volume level????

Ok, so if this is the case, why does preamp a (50 vrms) play significantly louder than preamp b (20 vrms)? Is all due to the gain??? I am really confused because the only thing I have changed in my system is the preamp I am auditioning and the sound is already above my listening levels at volume setting "1" on the preamp (preamp a). Please explain so I can better understand what is causing the signficant difference in volume I am hearing.

herman, I currently have the Classe CP-700 pre. The other pre I am auditioning is the new BAT VK-52se.

herman, i was told by BAT that the max gain is 17db. I am going to check the gain for the classe today...i will report back.

Ok, I switched to the single ended output on my Cary which is supposed to be at 3vrms. And even though the volume has decreased by a bit, it is still pretty loud even with the preamp at the lowest possible setting.

Also, the output impedance of the BAT CVK52se is listed as 200ohms and the Classe CP-700 is 100ohms.

Now I am really confused why their is such as big difference in volume between the BAT and Classe preamps.

Ok, I found out the gain of the classe is 14db, the bat is 17db. any ideas?

I got a response from BAT that explains the difference in volume control between my Classe preamp and the VK-52se even though they both have similar gain. I guess it comes down to digital volume control (Classe) vs discrete volume control (BAT). By the way, what is a "Discrete" volume control? Can someone explain why discrete volume control does not have as much attenuation as digital control?

Below is an exerpt from the email I got BAT sent me:

"...integrated digital volume controls give
you more room - they have 180 or more steps, allowing you to achieve greater
attenuation. I don't have solid information on Classe, but what you are
telling me is consistent with a use of such a volume control.

High quality discrete volume controls usually stop sooner. Reasons are
practical - cost and complexity...It is many times more expensive
than the integrated circuit attenuator. The reason we use that expensive
solution is the sound, of course.

Our volume attenuator has linear range of 70dB. We do not go further as
doing so would degrade the signal way too much. -60dB attenuation means you
are throwing away 99.9% of signal, letting just 1/1000 of it go through -
hardly good situation."

ok, i think i figured out what BAT meant when they replied to me. My Classe has a gain range of -84db to 14db. The BAT has a range of 70db, from -53db to 17db. So on the lower end, the Classe is attenuating by more than -30db which explains why on the lowest volume settings, music sounds so much louder. This doenst help but at least I understand what is going on.