amplifiers w/ volume controls

leftwinger57
leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
edited May 2012 in Electronics
I noticed on some brands of amplifiers both new and vintage have volume controls. You still need a pre-amp so what real purpose besides maybe that you could dial in your balance better then let the pre and your source gear do the rest. Macs,Crown and some others have done this for years on both ss and tube amps.I don't know if I answered my own question but if there if a more specific reason I'd like to find out.
2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
Post edited by leftwinger57 on

Comments

  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited May 2012
    If you're using more than one amp in your system (as in passive biamping) a volume control on the power amp allows equalizing the output of the amps. Especially important if you're using one brand for the low end and another for the high end.

    Once you've adjusted the amp outputs so they're equal, when you adjust the volume on the preamp it maintains this balance as you increase or decrease it.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited May 2012
    Thank you.There had to be a decent explanation for this.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,808
    edited May 2012
    It's not a given that one needs a pre-amplifier.
  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited May 2012
    I guess that would be true w/ an integrated type amp. But a pure power amp ,how is that achieved.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,808
    edited May 2012
    I guess that would be true w/ an integrated type amp. But a pure power amp ,how is that achieved.

    If the power amp has adequate gain, and there's an attenuator on the source (as found,e.g., many CD players and on older tuners),there may be no need for any form of preamp, even a "passive" one.

    In my case, I have a passive autoformer volume control and a source selector switch between my source components and my power amplifier. No more, no less.
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,289
    edited May 2012
    What Mr.H said...I have connected my W4S dac and Sonos directly to the amp and used Dac's and my Sonos ZP-90 volumn control
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

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