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Volume Control setting corresponds to how many db down (-db) from 0db at full volume?

I’ve wanted to be able to estimate how many watts my amps are driving as it corresponds to my preamp’s volume control setting. More specifically with a typical volume control having a rotational range from say 7:00 o’clock around to 5:00 o’clock, (my Croft preamp actually goes from Noon to 9:00), roughly where would it be -3db or -6db, etc. In one system with my 50 watt push-pull pentode amp, I rarely go past 10:30 o’clock. With my 25 watt triodes in my other system I rarely go past 3:30 o’clock on the Croft. Interestingly that’s roughly the same degrees of rotation!? Can I estimate approximately how many watts I’m operating at in each system simply based upon the volume control setting?
elunkenheimer
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Short answer, NO. Lots of reasons that I'll let others w more technical background explain.
rodman99999
5,980 posts
 
WAY too many variables, from system to system and from recording to recording.
larryi
3,716 posts
 
You could get a watt meter.  These things sell for about $45 and are used by RC airplane fanciers and others that need to make measurements at modest power levels without affecting performance while taking the measurement.  A friend and I used his old fashion needle and dial watt meter to see how much power his speakers were drawing.  He rarely used more than .1 watts, but, then again his speakers are about 105 db/w efficient.
elunkenheimer OP
31 posts
 
Thanks guys and I recognize there are many dependent variables. And thanks larryi, for I can put a steady 440 hz test signal from the Cardas record through the system at the db level equivalent to what I typically listen to music at as measured on my trusty Radioshack sound pressure meter. It wouldn't surprise me that when I'm listening though my 93db Brines Acoustics FT-1600 MkII's to music volume about 90+ db, that the draw is only a watt or 2 from my 25 watt triode monoblocks.  
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