Preamp output voltage...affect on volume???

It does sound like they have different gain. If you can't find the gain, you can also use the input sensitivity voltage to get your answer.

I seem to recall you can change the gain in the new Classe Delta preamps. I remember my old CP50 had this feature. It is a very practical feature to get the most resolution out of your volume control.

Arthur

In addition to the output voltages being different (the headroom is there to keep distortion down at the levels you *do* play BTW) the preamps also have different *gain*. The two are not the same, although it sounds like the unit with the higher voltage also has more gain.

Ok, I switched to the single ended output on my Cary which is supposed to be at 3vrms. And even though the volume has decreased by a bit, it is still pretty loud even with the preamp at the lowest possible setting.

Also, the output impedance of the BAT CVK52se is listed as 200ohms and the Classe CP-700 is 100ohms.

Now I am really confused why their is such as big difference in volume between the BAT and Classe preamps.

That difference in output impedance isn't enough to make any difference. Until you find out what the gain of the Classe is we are wasting our time speculating about the difference.

Quite simply a higher gain will result in a louder sound. The volume dial alows you to adjust the gain. A higher maximum ouput implies nothing unless you know the maximum input level.

Suppose that all signals are RCA line level and unbalanced; input is designed for a max of roughly 2 Vrms and therefore the gain at maximum output appears to be at least 25.

Suppose that all signals are line level and balanced; input is designed for a max of roughly 4 Vrms and therefore the gain at maximum output appears to be at least 12.

These high gains are unusual for a hi-fi pre-amp as most pre-amps are close to unity gain at maximum levels...the advantage will be better immunity to RF/EM noise (likely a lower noise floor downstage of the preamp).

To get back to normal volume levels you need to;

1) reduce the power amplifier gain stages to compensate for a large signal at the input of the power amplifier
2) attenuate the signal so that it matches the input capabilities of the power amplifier.
3) get a power amplifier that is specifically designed to accept this higher range of input signals

Good power amplifiers will often have potentiometers to provide flexibilty to handle various input level ranges.