Does Anyone Else Have A Marantz HT receiver? How does the volume control work?

[ToTo Man]

The volume control on my SR7300 goes from -infinity to 0db and then upto +18db. I can't get my head round why it goes past 0db :scratch2:. Going above 0db seems to introduce additional background noise, so common sense tells me that 0db is full volume (i.e. no attenuation), and anything above 0db is gain (if that's the correct word). I never exceed 0db in fear that my speakers will get damaged, but on some DVDs where the recording level is low 0db is simply not loud enough. Although my SR7300 is 105wpc @ 8 ohms @0.08THD, when playing these 'quiet' DVDs at full volume (0db) my external power meters barely reach 20wpc. I am therefore itching to turn it above 0db but am frightened to incase I do damage. Can someone explain to me how this volume control works? :scratch2:

[Markus111]

0db means that the INPUT signal is neither being boosted or attenuated. This is very handy if your using outboard amps instead of the internal amps. So, if your input signal is 1 volt, 1 volt is passed to your amps when the volume is set to 0db. Above this, the preamp in the receiver is boosting the signal by X db. Below this, it is cutting it by X db.

This can also be adjusted (at least in the SR780) in the individual channel balance section. This adjustment goes from -10db to +10db IN ADDITION to the main volume control. This volume setup really drives my wife crazy, but I've really grown to like it now that I'm used to it. It is much better than just having a relative volume setting.

It sounds like you have speakers with low sensitivity hooked up to your Marantz, so you may be stuck going above 0db. This will indeed introduce some extra noise.

Mark