Where do I set my gain levels?

[Connor1a]

Hi gang…

I’m the proud father of a nice, shiny pile ‘o electronics and am learning… more than I thought. I’m reading through posts daily trying not to ask redundant questions answered elsewhere in the forums. Please excuse me if I’m asking something obvious. I have a small stack of printed papers next to me with incredibly complex posts which I’m working my way through. It’s funny, I thought I was a pretty technical guy. I was wrong… Lol. Dead wrong. Anyway, my question…

My chain now looks like this:

Fluance RT85 -> Schiit Mani 2 -> Emotiva PT2 -> dbx 231s -> Emotiva A2 -> Elac Debut 3.0 DF63

I can set gain at the Modi 2 and the 231s. I can then control volume at the PT2 (alternatively, on analog 2 of the PT2, I have a Sonos Port which can also control volume). I’ve no doubt that you can see this one coming… Where should I optimally set gain and where do I optimally control volume (assuming convenience isn’t a factor - were it a consideration I’d set the PT2 and use the Sonos app most of the time unless spinning plastic).

I understand opinions vary to some degree on this matter. Or at least the opinions I’ve read thus far seem to be somewhat contradictory at points. So I’m not looking for definitive truth here. I’d be completely satisfied with a few guiding principles. For example, one section I read suggested leaving the analog line “as hot as possible” until you hit the last (convenient) volume knob in an effort to minimize distortion. If that’s the case, I’d leave theoretically leave everything full tilt until I hit the gain knob(s) on the 231s (not the most convenient, but it is the last knobs in all the various potential analog / digital paths).

So help a brother out? I sincerely appreciate the time and patience… /s

 

[Audiofire]

What is the right interpretation of input sensitivity for an amp?

This came out of a discussion in another thread between @peng and I and a subsequent PM exchange. We agreed that this was a confusing issue. Assume just unbalanced inputs for the following since the unbalanced vs balanced spec is unrelated to this fundamental question. Bringing that in will...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Do you have a multimeter/voltmeter? An oscilloscope is easier for seeing when the voltage "sensitivity" (or clipping) is hit. More info here:

Amplifier Voltage Gain Explained – Matching Amp to Preamp

Interested in a separate amplifier? Amplifier voltage gain and sensitivity are important specs to know about. This article explains the concept to help identify how to match your amp to a preamp.

www.audioholics.com

 

[kemmler3D]

Hi gang…

I’m the proud father of a nice, shiny pile ‘o electronics and am learning… more than I thought. I’m reading through posts daily trying not to ask redundant questions answered elsewhere in the forums. Please excuse me if I’m asking something obvious. I have a small stack of printed papers next to me with incredibly complex posts which I’m working my way through. It’s funny, I thought I was a pretty technical guy. I was wrong… Lol. Dead wrong. Anyway, my question…

My chain now looks like this:

Fluance RT85 -> Schiit Mani 2 -> Emotiva PT2 -> dbx 231s -> Emotiva A2 -> Elac Debut 3.0 DF63

I can set gain at the Modi 2 and the 231s. I can then control volume at the PT2 (alternatively, on analog 2 of the PT2, I have a Sonos Port which can also control volume). I’ve no doubt that you can see this one coming… Where should I optimally set gain and where do I optimally control volume (assuming convenience isn’t a factor - were it a consideration I’d set the PT2 and use the Sonos app most of the time unless spinning plastic).

I understand opinions vary to some degree on this matter. Or at least the opinions I’ve read thus far seem to be somewhat contradictory at points. So I’m not looking for definitive truth here. I’d be completely satisfied with a few guiding principles. For example, one section I read suggested leaving the analog line “as hot as possible” until you hit the last (convenient) volume knob in an effort to minimize distortion. If that’s the case, I’d leave theoretically leave everything full tilt until I hit the gain knob(s) on the 231s (not the most convenient, but it is the last knobs in all the various potential analog / digital paths).

So help a brother out? I sincerely appreciate the time and patience… /s

Unless you need more total gain than this provides, the ideal situation is to set gain such that you're getting the best SINAD from each device.

Depending on the device, that's usually not super close to maximum gain (too much distortion) but still pretty high (to increase SNR).

In general you would want to sacrifice distortion a little bit to avoid audible noise at the speaker, so in that case turn up the gain at the source (further up the chain) more to avoid noise further down the chain.

In practice most stuff has pretty good SNR and not much/any audible distortion these days, so as long as you don't have your source turned way down and the last stage turned way up, it should be fine.

 

[Connor1a]

Unless you need more total gain than this provides, the ideal situation is to set gain such that you're getting the best SINAD from each device.

Depending on the device, that's usually not super close to maximum gain (too much distortion) but still pretty high (to increase SNR).

In general you would want to sacrifice distortion a little bit to avoid audible noise at the speaker, so in that case turn up the gain at the source (further up the chain) more to avoid noise further down the chain.

In practice most stuff has pretty good SNR and not much/any audible distortion these days, so as long as you don't have your source turned way down and the last stage turned way up, it should be fine.

TYVM!