Let's remember first that the further a volume pot is turned down, the less linear it is. If you can run the volume pot wide open, that is the closest that you can get to no volume pot at all. So no need to worry about running the volume pot at that top of its range.
The real problem is with the CD mandated output of 2V. They set this as a standard so that the CD would sound louder than other line level sources, such as tuners, tape decks, Elcasette decks, etc. And louder than most MM cartridges played into the standard phono gain of 40db. Why? Louder was better in the showroom. First generation CDs sounded pathetic, but it was one way to showcase "perfect sound forever".
What to do? Simple, turn up the volume, there is nothing wrong with your rig. Most rigs that have both CD replay and LP replay will have the CD sound louder, mine certainly does.
The real problem is with the CD mandated output of 2V. They set this as a standard so that the CD would sound louder than other line level sources, such as tuners, tape decks, Elcasette decks, etc. And louder than most MM cartridges played into the standard phono gain of 40db. Why? Louder was better in the showroom. First generation CDs sounded pathetic, but it was one way to showcase "perfect sound forever".
What to do? Simple, turn up the volume, there is nothing wrong with your rig. Most rigs that have both CD replay and LP replay will have the CD sound louder, mine certainly does.