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Re: Understanding the volume knob...

Posted by kotches (R) on January 3, 2002 at 08:14:35

In Reply to: Understanding the volume knob... posted by JimH on January 3, 2002 at 06:47:29:

I'm guessing it really says -25.0d up to +x.xdB and not just the numbers....

So what does that mean?

These are relative numbers to Dolby Reference level for DD playback.

When you calibrate your system using internal test tones, you calibrate all speakers to 75dB.

After calibration, when setting your receiver (or preamp/processor) to 0.0dB you are at "Reference Level", which means peaks of 105dB for the main speakers and 115dB for the subwoofer. This is pretty loud.

The point though for playback is to get a consistent and repeatable level, so that you can say "I listen at -10.0dB" -- a friend can listen at the same level and you know that you are both listening at the same SPL.

The catch is this:
There is no such "Reference Level" standard for CDs, so the volume control is going to be pretty much by at whatever level is comfy for you.

With respect to clipping of a preamp or amplifier stage, this depends on the design. Some preamp sections are designed so that they cannot clip the output, which helps going into the amplifier. As far as amplifier output and clipping this will depend on the input sensitivity for full output and the output voltage for the preamp section. There's no cut and dry answer I'm sorry to say.

I hope this helps clear things up. If not, post back and I'll try to unmuck it again :-)

Regards,

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VH Audio

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