It takes a lot of signal power gain to go from a laser beam's output to driving speakers. This gain is divided up into a few pieces and each contributes to the overall volume level. One piece comes from your source, then another comes from the preamp, and then yet another (and usually the largest chunk) comes from the amp.
When you have your source's volume turned down, you reduce its share of the gain. In order to keep the same volume level, you need to increase another part: the preamp.
So you can vary the contribution of each piece to the overall gain. When you turn down your source and turn up your Cary, you hear the sound of the Cary a lot more (relaxed and easy). When you do the opposite, the more forward sound is what your source really sounds like (forward and dynamic).
Another point gets back to your volume level question. Most volume controls operate best at full volume - and not only is this true for digital domain but also for analog domain. A volume control is not all that easy to design well.
But I think you are mainly hearing the differences in sound between your source and your preamp. All components have their own "flavor" and you simply prefer the Cary's.
Arthur
When you have your source's volume turned down, you reduce its share of the gain. In order to keep the same volume level, you need to increase another part: the preamp.
So you can vary the contribution of each piece to the overall gain. When you turn down your source and turn up your Cary, you hear the sound of the Cary a lot more (relaxed and easy). When you do the opposite, the more forward sound is what your source really sounds like (forward and dynamic).
Another point gets back to your volume level question. Most volume controls operate best at full volume - and not only is this true for digital domain but also for analog domain. A volume control is not all that easy to design well.
But I think you are mainly hearing the differences in sound between your source and your preamp. All components have their own "flavor" and you simply prefer the Cary's.
Arthur