Define the negative-zero dB amplitude scale?

[MDS]

My Yamaha people and manuals say nothing about the matter, except that it's "a more accurate representation of volume". I've had others tell me that there is no standard and that comparisons between models, manufacturers, etc. are meaningless...that it's just an arbitrary scale. If it's so arbitrary, why has everyone adopted it? Why does 'mute' begin at -80? (Please note that as a separate issue, Yamaha's new receivers have adjustable min-max volume settings. Default setting is -80 to +17. Plus 17? )

That's the key to it all - it's just a scale.

The relative scale is preferred because it allows you to tell at a glance the relative distance above or below 'reference level' - assuming it was calibrated such that '0' on the volume display equates to reference level.

If both receivers are calibrated the same way then reference level will always be zero. If not, then all bets are off.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Would you mind elaborating a bit on your statement and how it explains the requirement of the more powerful Rx to display a higher volume setting to reach an equivalent system spl?

Some amps will output 1 watts with 100 mV input while others may need 150 mV or 80 mV, no?

 

[Tomorrow]

Some amps will output 1 watts with 100 mV input while others may need 150 mV or 80 mV, no?

This is not the case in the Yamaha issue specified.

 

[Tomorrow]

Eureka!....maybe.

After 8 calls, I finally got to a Yamaha tech support supervisor...one who recognized the issues. His report: In the last few years, Yamaha changed their relative volume scale from -40 (mute) - 0 to an adjustable scale of -80 (mute) - +16.5. This is a completely arbitrary relative scaling system. The gentleman suggests that Yamaha is the only manufacturer that uses this system, with the possible exception of Denon.

So it seems that there is NO industry standard for amplitude scaling controls. Surprisingly to me, zero dB in fact seems to be relatively unimportant...not the point at which reference level is reached (which I had assumed), or distortion levels exceeded some limit.

Case closed for me. I'm satisfied. Indeed, I think this new RX-A3010 is a fine piece of gear. It will do much more than I could ever utilize. Systems are in place to run just about any configuration, program, and setup I could ever want...with exceedingly low distortion to boot. It's a quality looking and sounding receiver. I highly recommend this model for anyone looking for quality EQ'ing, playback, options, and 11.2 systems (subs EQ'ed separately!), plus it will operate all the new age gizmos and programs (which I'm too old to care about...what's an IPOD? ).

And one more thing. I was doubtful I would recognize any SQ improvement between the old DD and DTS and their new high def counterparts. I can...and I like it.

G'day all.

Manana

 

[its phillip]

I've got an old RX-V795 and the volume knob goes from infinite to 0

Here's a shot from the manual:

 

[Tomorrow]

I've got an old RX-V795 and the volume knob goes from infinite to 0

Here's a shot from the manual:

Yes, I think that was a short term assignment Yamaha made on its receivers, -80 to 0. The "infinite" is really -80, which is mute. And btw, the individual numbers do not correlate to dB. The -80 to 0 is the scale used by my old RX-V2500.

Isn't this a weird world...this receiver/audio world?! No consistency and few standards. And those standards we do have seem to change yearly. Thank goodness for scientific measurements.