Dialing in the volume

[TSHRED]

I control the volume for my system via the Ultra because I'm utilizing the sub out feature.

I run it into a preamplifier them into an amplifier.

My amplifier has its own gain knob on the front.

With this many volume controls I'm wondering how to adjust everything for maximum fidelity?

I currently have the preamp volume at about 1:00 and the amplifier volume at about 3:00.

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[Patagonia]

Each time you lower the volume the noise floor increases so if you lower the volume in one step and in the next you increase it (for example adding gain in your preamp) you will also be adding volume to the noise, this rule of thumb is to try to maximize volume through the chain -leaving enough headroom to avoid distorsion - and lower in the last step.

To make it clear, imagine you have a source with s/n ratio of 90db, and you lower its pot to half, then the signal will have a lower s/n ratio, lets say 50db (just example, not real figure), that will be your max s/n ratio downstream (before even adding each downstream component noise) and any gain increase will also increase that noise.

Of course not all your gear and their potentiometers are made equal so from that starting point you can iterate to find what suits you best.

 

[TSHRED]

Each time you lower the volume the noise floor increases so if you lower the volume in one step and in the next you increase it (for example adding gain in your preamp) you will also be adding volume to the noise, this rule of thumb is to try to maximize volume through the chain -leaving enough headroom to avoid distorsion - and lower in the last step.

To make it clear, imagine you have a source with s/n ratio of 90db, and you lower its pot to half, then the signal will have a lower s/n ratio, lets say 50db (just example, not real figure), that will be your max s/n ratio downstream (before even adding each downstream component noise) and any gain increase will also increase that noise.

Of course not all your gear and their potentiometers are made equal so from that starting point you can iterate to find what suits you best.

The way I'm interpreting your reply is that the preamp should be up fairly high and use the amp gain to dial it in?

 

[Patagonia]

I would say yes, but being careful on not to overdrive your power amp as the ultra has gain and then also your preamp.
You could start with ultra at 100% (sub off) preamp in 0% and power amp in 40-50% and start increasing the preamp until you hear distortion, back up a little on the preamp pot and you have a nice safe point. If you will never go to 100% in the Ultra then you can do the same but with the max you plan to have the ultra.

Use a difficult track to test, cant imagine one now, others might chime in and also propose faster methods hehehe.

 

[Patagonia]

You could try the Ultra directly to the power amp also, it will have enough gain to drive it, but if you have other sources connected or you use it for the tube sound then probably not feasable for your use.

 

[TSHRED]

You could try the Ultra directly to the power amp also, it will have enough gain to drive it, but if you have other sources connected or you use it for the tube sound then probably not feasable for your use.

Thanks.
I was running it that way before I got the preamp.
The system sounds much better with the preamp.

I'm driving vintage ADS L1090 speakers.

 

[Mr Ee]

You could try various combinations (without the sub connected) to see if you can actually hear any difference with the majority of the volume being controlled by each device in turn, but at some point convenience and safety (for want of a better word) come in.
And, as you know, using the wiim for the sub means the wiim has to be the primary volume control.

Personally, I'd probably set it up to protect the speakers and your ears, i.e. if both the wiim and preamp are on max volume then where should the amp be set so that it's very loud but not ridiculously so, noting of course that some tracks have much lower/higher recording levels than others.
i.e. use the last device in the chain as the safety net.

However, that doesn't help the sub if the wiim goes full tilt, so another option is both the amps on full and use the wiim's volume limit option to reduce what 100% volume actually sends out.
But that would go against the 'attenuation last' (or should that be gain last?) advice.

Too many options, not necessarily one right answer!
Pick one and then get back to enjoying it

 

[TSHRED]

You could try various combinations (without the sub connected) to see if you can actually hear any difference with the majority of the volume being controlled by each device in turn, but at some point convenience and safety (for want of a better word) come in.
And, as you know, using the wiim for the sub means the wiim has to be the primary volume control.

Personally, I'd probably set it up to protect the speakers and your ears, i.e. if both the wiim and preamp are on max volume then where should the amp be set so that it's very loud but not ridiculously so, noting of course that some tracks have much lower/higher recording levels than others.
i.e. use the last device in the chain as the safety net.

However, that doesn't help the sub if the wiim goes full tilt, so another option is both the amps on full and use the wiim's volume limit option to reduce what 100% volume actually sends out.
But that would go against the 'attenuation last' advice.

Too many options, not necessarily one right answer!
Pick one and then get back to enjoying it

It seems to work fine with my current settings but I was wondering if I could squeeze any more out of it.

What I need to do is make sure I have it set safely though.