What Elizabeth said. On volume controls that use plus/minus, 0 is zero gain. Which is to say, at zero grain, the input signal from the source is effectively untouched by the volume pot. Now, for your average digital source, zero gain is real hot and damn loud. Thus, the majority of the usable volume range will be in the "minus" realm, in which the volume control is operating passively to attenuate (or apply negative gain) to the input signal. When you get into the positive numbers, the volume control is using a mini amplification stage to "add gain" to the input level and boost it above zero gain. (A "passive" volume control will only go negative, and have no amplification stage or ability to add gain). So, volume controls that display +/- are actually providing useful info that ones that read 0 to X do not -- ie, where zero gain lives and the volume control is doing the least/nothing to alter the signal. FWIW, I prefer the 0 to X range myself, but the other is perfectly legit and useful.
Why do some volume controls start at -80db or..?
I tried searching but could not find a thread on this subject.
What is the deal with some volume controls having zero at the half way point on the knob? Our Yamaha receiver starts at -60db or some such, with 0db about the half way point. My Krell pre goes from zero to 150. For what purpose does this serve? I really prefer the zero to a zillion version. The minus thing is annoying.
Jeez, I'am sounding like Andy Rooney :') (RIP)
-John
What is the deal with some volume controls having zero at the half way point on the knob? Our Yamaha receiver starts at -60db or some such, with 0db about the half way point. My Krell pre goes from zero to 150. For what purpose does this serve? I really prefer the zero to a zillion version. The minus thing is annoying.
Jeez, I'am sounding like Andy Rooney :') (RIP)
-John