2. amps-preamps
  3. 1162773040

Parasound volume level question

Background: I just completed set-up of a Parasound Halo P3 preamp (purchased on eBay) and a Parasound Halo A21 amp (purchased here) with my Thorens TD320 MkII turntable using a Shure VST III cartridge and my Paradigm Reference Studio/40 v.2 speakers. I use BetterCables.com Silver Serpent II balanced XLR between the preamp and amp and their Premium III bi-wire speaker cables.
The question: I am using a volume setting of 60-66 for moderately loud volume levels. I find I need to use the same volume levels when listening through the headphone jack, also. This seems awfully high from what I have read, especially considering the preamp volume runs from 0-80. Is this normal?
128x128mhconley
bdgregory
1,580 posts
 
It may be pretty normal. How does it compare to volume output from other sources (eg CD player)?

I'm not familiar with your preamp, but in my experience a cartridge with less than 5 mv output (I think yours is about 3mv) will require the volume to be cranked up a fair bit to get normal to loud volume on most phono pres.

The one thing to check - if your power amp has sentivity controls on the back like most parasound amps - make sure they are turned up full.
getheleadout
144 posts
 
Don't know if it's nomal, but given the proplems associated with all stardard pots, they generally are more stable and better able to deal with their shortcomings when used at one half or more of their output/rotation.
porziob
316 posts
 
Most if not all mfgs. recommend running the level controls on pwr. amps wide open for lowest distortion. However pre amps with too much gain don`t allow a wide range of volume control settings. In this case adjusting the input level on the pwr. amp will allow a wider range of settings on the pre amp vol. control.
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