Iceman Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Why do recievers typically display the volume starting at negative decibels and continue to 0 db or positive decibels in some cases? What is the point of all this? Does it have any relation to actual db's? Did companies just agree on measuring volume that way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEAM Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 MAN THATS A STRANGE ONE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artto Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 In general, its often an arbitrary one "implied" by the manufacturer. But, the zeroDb level often indicates what is referred to as "unity gain". A "volume" control is not actually a power output control. It simply varies the ATTENUATION/GAIN of the INPUT signal. Zero Db level is where the amp is providing neither gain or attenuation. Its the same level as if you just plugged the source (CD player, tunner, etc) directly into the power amp stage. Pro sound & recording engineers often use this level as a reference so they can obtain the best signal to noise ratio (lowest noise)between all the amps, effects, mixing boards, instruments etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 This topic has been asked before. To see more responses, go to: http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=29641&sessionID={C278ECA4-82B0-4611-9D95-D3F9E3FDAA1E} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 So if there were no volume control at all it would be the level at which the amp would play if "uncontrolled" at all. I could see this in a receiver (with a known amplifier potential) but not a preamp since a different amp can be used with different ratings. For that matter, I would assume the receiver maker is assuming you are using 8ohm speakers with a certain sensitivity rating to reach the db level indicated on the volume control knob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artto Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 The impedance rating of the loudspeaker has nothing to do with it. The same thing applies to a preamp (or mixers). A receiver is no different than any other amp in this respect other than having an integrated radio section. Usually when there is no "volume control" (better stated as a "gain control") on a power amp for instance, the amp is basically "wide-open". This is not usually the way to achieve the best signal to noise ratio but some people think it sounds better that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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