How to match preamp gain to amp sensitivity?

This is a tough problem. Several possibilities:
1. Attenuators at the amp inputs.
2. Sources (e.g., some DACs like the Benchmark) with variable output level
3. A preamp with electronic or other finely-stepped volume control (like the PS Audio PCA-2 and a bunch of others) - the big issue is usually that rotary volume controls give little room for adjustment if there is too much gain - actual input overload is rare these days.

Best bet - try the preamp with a system that has similar amp gain and speaker sensitivity to yours, and see if you're happy with the ability to adjust the volume easily, especially at low levels. When doing so, beware of the tendency to listen much louder in the showroom that you typically do at home. We've had dealers comment on how quiet we like to listen, when we thought we were playing music loudly in their showrooms!

Thanks Racarlson, I see what you are saying. My amp (ARCD250mkII) actually has attenuators on the back of the amp. I've tried them out using my phono stage and CD direct and they work out pretty good but not enough fine tuning.
My reason for asking is that I'm looking for a preamp and on another post have had some good suggestions but I heard once that I could overload the input stage of my amp if I use a pre with too much gain.

When running direct into the amp it produced excellent sounds. Now I'm thinking that passive is the way to go. I could NOT open the attenuators wide open so I think my input sens. is very low therefore it could be a good match for passive.

Any suggestions on this?

Hi, Alun -- I've used a couple of passives, McCormack TLC-1 (still in my office system) and EVS Ultimate Attenuators. Like many folks, I thought there was a tradeoff - excellent transparency and smoothness, some loss of perceived dynamics, especially in the bass. I also prefer to run long interconnects to my amp, which does not work very well with passives (I'd say not more than a meter or at most two). Audio Research amps generally have very high input impedance, which will help with some of the issues. I see the Placette passives on Audiogon for attractive prices, so you might give one of them a try.
Rich

Thanks again Rich, this could be a possible avenue for me.
I am thinking however that any pre that I use in my system may be only as good as the attenuators found at the back of my amp, and if these are NOT of the best quality, anything going to them may be just a waste.
I may look at them better and see if they can be bypassed or update with something like the EVS.