Volume Display on Marantz

[JDL]

I have a question for anyone who might know the answer. Recently I purchased a Marantz Model 30 Integrated amplifier. When I turn up the volume, the numbers on the display decrease and when I turn down the volume, the numbers increase.
I've tried googling to try and find out if it's designed this way or if it's accidentally been wired wrong but I can't seem to find the answer.
It doesn't matter to me at all, I just wondered if anyone here knows if it's meant to be this way and if so, what's the reasoning behind it or is it a manufacturing fault?

 

[Gray]

I have a question for anyone who might know the answer. Recently I purchased a Marantz Model 30 Integrated amplifier. When I turn up the volume, the numbers on the display decrease and when I turn down the volume, the numbers increase.
I've tried googling to try and find out if it's designed this way or if it's accidentally been wired wrong but I can't seem to find the answer.
It doesn't matter to me at all, I just wondered if anyone here knows if it's meant to be this way and if so, what's the reasoning behind it or is it a manufacturing fault?

Just a more professional way of doing it.
They choose to use 0dB as maximum - meaning that any lower level is displayed as a minus dB figure.

 

[bigfish786]

It’s definitely meant to be that way. I’ve had several amps that do the same.
think I read somewhere that it’s like an attenuator, where you are turning off attenuation as the volume increases! Don’t ask me where I got that from, but it’s in my brain from somewhere.

 

[12th Monkey]

See Gray's post!

 

[Messiah]

From the Home Cinema world (so cannot be sure how/if this relates to hifi) I read that 0dB is meant to be the reference level (so what level it was recorded/mastered at) so anything lower than that volume leads to a negative dB and higher volume gives a positive dB (so essentially you know what volume is reference level - but that would be a quite loud in a terraced house! lol).

 

[Gray]

it’s like an attenuator, where you are turning off attenuation as the volume increases!

That's precisely what you're doing.
(Holding back on the full amount that the power amp could be getting).

 

[JDL]

Just a more professional way of doing it.
They choose to use 0dB as maximum - meaning that any lower level is displayed as a minus dB figure.

Thanks, now I understand. I'm surprised I couldn't find an explanation on the internet.👍🏻

 

[nopiano]

Thanks, now I understand. I'm surprised I couldn't find an explanation on the internet.👍🏻

A bit like chat GTP, maybe, you need to ask the right question?

 

[JDL]

A bit like chat GTP, maybe, you need to ask the right question?

Attenuation.

 

[12th Monkey]

I recall my brother asking (many years ago) why they didn't simply tell you how loud an amp was at a given point on the dial - the answer being that the amp has no idea how sensitive the speakers it partners are, so there is no absolute volume - only relative volume in relation to how hard the amp is working.

 

[Dom]

Its called "inverse scaling" or "reverse scaling." Its how the amplifier controls audio signal, it's just that the scaling is reversed.

It is a representation of the amplifier's gain or attenuation and is there for people to set their desired listening volume rather than an absolute loudness.

 

[Revolutions]

It’s also how you blow up tube amps: not adding any resistance load & turning them on 🙃

 

[Geoff P.]

I'm sure you're all correct in your explanations of this curious situation.
However, it seems to me to be very unhelpful of Marantz to the average user of a domestic hifi amp.
I'll stick with my ancient Denon DRA-455 receiver - turn the big knob clockwise, it gets louder !!!
GP

 

[Al ears]

I'm sure you're all correct in your explanations of this curious situation.
However, it seems to me to be very unhelpful of Marantz to the average user of a domestic hifi amp.
I'll stick with my ancient Denon DRA-455 receiver - turn the big knob clockwise, it gets louder !!!
GP

most amps get louder when you turn the knob clockwise.....
Mine displays between 0 and 100.....probably because most Americans wouldn't understand inverse scaling and negative dB.

 

[Geoff P.]

most amps get louder when you turn the knob clockwise.....
Mine displays between 0 and 100.....probably because most Americans wouldn't understand inverse scaling and negative dB.

Al,
You're lucky having a numeric scale !
My old Denon has no numbers, not even a Min/Max - just a marker on the knob ! Aaah - simpler times.
GP ( Brit. )

 

[Al ears]

Al,
You're lucky having a numeric scale !
My old Denon has no numbers, not even a Min/Max - just a marker on the knob ! Aaah - simpler times.
GP ( Brit. )

Yes, must say this is the first amp I have owned that had anything other than a mark on the volume kbob.

 

[plastic penguin]

I have a question for anyone who might know the answer. Recently I purchased a Marantz Model 30 Integrated amplifier. When I turn up the volume, the numbers on the display decrease and when I turn down the volume, the numbers increase.
I've tried googling to try and find out if it's designed this way or if it's accidentally been wired wrong but I can't seem to find the answer.
It doesn't matter to me at all, I just wondered if anyone here knows if it's meant to be this way and if so, what's the reasoning behind it or is it a manufacturing fault?

How does it compare with the older model?

 

[JDL]

It’s also how you blow up tube amps: not adding any resistance load & turning them on 🙃

I wonder why someone would turn a valve amp on, or any amp for that matter, without first making sure that appropriate speakers and a source into the amp are connected.
A recipe for problems I would think.

 

[nopiano]

I wonder why someone would turn a valve amp on, or any amp for that matter, without first making sure that appropriate speakers and a source into the amp are connected.
A recipe for problems I would think.

But there is a significant difference, because a solid state amp won’t mind if no speakers are connected. However, a valve amp will very likely be damaged with no speakers connected.

 

[JDL]

But there is a significant difference, because a solid state amp won’t mind if no speakers are connected. However, a valve amp will very likely be damaged with no speakers connected.

Oh thanks for enlightening me. I've never risked it because I didn't know that solid state amps are ok in that regard.
I used to own an Orange AD200B. A famous Bass Amp for those that don't know.
I was always very careful with that.

 

[spl84]

How do you like that amp? I'm thinking about getting that model or possibly the 40n. It looks like the model 30 has more wattage per channel but the 40 has streaming built in...