Interesting discussion on gain vs volume. I keep thinking what is the difference, less gain, more volume… more gain, less volume, with the same DB level at the speakers & no clipping. Should be the same logically.
AI had an IMO helpful analogy where you look at it like a camera lens. The closer you are, within reason (gain), the clearer the picture. The further you are from your subject (less gain), can be made up by zooming in (volume), but that creates grain.
The recommended gain is the ‘sweet spot’… within reason. That sweet spot may be cartridge specific, but also should be system dependent. @audphile1 Very helpful information… again.