think of 0 gain as a point where your preamp is passing the source signal onto the amp unattenuated. - gain is when you are reducing the gain of the source and + gain is when your preamp is amplifying the source signal. each source signal is different, some very strong and some weak - a difference of 12 to 15 db's would not be unusual. at -15 db's you"re not even using your preamp to amplify the signal. sounds to me like your controls are just wired more uniformly. many preamps have gradiated increments which get smaller as the volume is increased.
Why do I have to turn the volume level so high?
I just bought a Marantz 7200 A/V Receiver with psb Alpha speakers (just Front L&R for now). The indicated volume range on the unit is from -75dB to +15dB. In order for me to listen at a comfortable level I need to crank the thing to -15dB or so!!! I guess this would be equal to 7 or 8 on the 1-10 scale. Even if I bypass all of the digital effects and listen in true stereo only I still need about
-20dB. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? Thanks.
-20dB. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? Thanks.