Thanks, that was what I decided must be right... since I'm not using dBw or dBm, etc., just dB.
Yes, the gain of the power stage... I made a model with the AU-6500 in the system from stylus to speaker a while back.
Hey gvl, I can't go up above 9 o'clock on this amp without things getting way too loud - 'cause my La Scalas are 105dB/1W/1m... so I use the -20dB Mute switch. That allows me to get the position of the volume knob up about 12 o'clock for normal listening.
If you don't have a built in mute attenuation you can do the calculations to estimate how much dB reduction would get your volume knob somewhat higher for your preferred listening level. Then you can get some in-line attenuators - they come in different reductions... like these:
So, for example, the typical volume control on the older amps provides about -16dB when turned about half way up, and 11 o'clock might be about -22dB.
If you want that 11 o'clock listening level with the knob at 1 o'clock (typically -12dB), then you want to add a 10dB reduction so 1 o'clock is the new 11 o'clock (1 o'clock is now total -22dB= -12dB -10dB).
If you want that listening level with the knob at 3 o'clock (typically -4dB), then you want to add a 18dB reduction so 3 o'clock is the new 11 o'clock (3 o'clock is now total -22dB= -4dB -18dB).
The line level attenuators would be placed between the source and the pre-amp input, so:
phono EQ -> line attenuator -> phono input to pre-amp
CD, digital source, etc. -> line attenuator -> aux/CD input to pre-amp