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Volume control vs. attenuation control

Can someone please explain the difference between a volume control on an amp and an attenuation control on a pre amp. My pre amp manual states to leave the attenuation control at 0db for critical listening. Some amps have volume controls built in. So if I wanted more "play area" in the pre amp volume control (when playing CD's so the music isn't blasting at the 9:00 position) would it be better to lower the amps volume control or the pre amps attenuation control? Markpao  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread) 03-14-11

Responses (1-13 of 13)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it. 03-14-11   It's highly advantageous to play around with both controls i ...   Arnettpartners 03-14-11   Technically an 'attenuator' cuts the signal before any ampli ...   Elizabeth 03-14-11   All volume controls are attenuators. gain stages amplify th ...   Onhwy61 03-14-11: Marakanetz In your case you're describing gain control vs. attenuation control on your preamp section that should be set to the best possible volume range that you want to operate your volume control for ex 7...12 o'clock. If you feel that you get distortions on the most of your listening range try to adjust one way or the other untill you get the most of sound and leave the gain control untouched. Marakanetz  (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread) 03-14-11   I would try the combination you like, then do some critical ...   Hifihvn 03-14-11   I would adjust the amp in so that i could turn the pre up to ...   4est 03-14-11   you start with a very small voltage signal from a source li ...   Herman 03-15-11   as a practical matter, when it comes to the way that preampl ...   Paperw8 03-15-11   Paperw8, i think you may have misread herman's comment. not ...   Almarg 03-15-11   Everything i said is correct. the problem comes when trying ...   Herman 03-15-11   Ergo, my integrated amp has a "gain" setting which ...   Arnettpartners 03-15-11   Not exactly. gain is simply the ratio of output to input. th ...   Herman 03-15-11   Thanks for the iluminating explanation.   Arnettpartners

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