The max volume I can get my 990 to go to varies. For instance.
While listening to a cd the other day I had it maxed out it would not go past +1 on the volume scale. Other times it will let me go to +15. Keep in mind that I am not getting near the outpuy my system is capable of. I have tried firmware updates and contacted Outlaw to see if there was some kind of I/O limiter and they said no. It should be able to go to +15 all the time. Any feedback would be much appreciated

I don't know that I've run into that, but then I also rarely even get past about -5dB when really cranking the system. What are your channel trim settings?

All channel trims are at 0. I don't even start to get volume out of it till about -40. Typical sitting on the couch wathing tv is about -28. The 990 itself just seems to have very low output

I take that back Normal tv listening level is about -22

What amp are you using?

I know -22 is fairly normal for TV viewing for me. About the only time I get as high as 0 is when I'm calibrating, never really tried to go any higher, it would blow the windows out of my living room.

Davin,

On my Outlaw / Parasound system, I checked the max setting I could go and it is +8dBs. Tried all the different input settings and still shows +8dBs. Did you try changing the input settings to see if the max volume changed as well? If it did, then your Outlaw probably needs to be repaired. For your reference, I normally do not push past -20dBs for CD and usually listen at -30dBs with my inefficient Magnepans. Have you made sure to check your Parasound HCA1500 and 1000's volume controls are set at THX levels? Sometimes when I am changing interconnects, I accidentally rub against the volume knobs and unknowingly lower the volume which is why I now double check whenever I do changes in the back of the amp.

Slbenz

When you calibrated the unit, did you calibrate to 75dB at the 0db volume setting? Some of the Polk speakers (which look to be what you have based in the pic in your sig) are on the low-side efficiency-wise, so if you are running up around +1 to +5 in some cases you may want to verify your calibration and possibly even calibrate to a higher reference level (maybe 80dB at the 0dB volume setting).

With my Maggie 1.6s in a room with just-under-8-foot ceilings, driven by an Adcom GFA535 (100w into 4 ohms), I listen to FM or CDs at, typically, between -15db and -10db (or lower if my wife's home), but have to go up to from -10 to 0 settings for phono and/or cassette tape inputs, and for TV from HD channels via our SA cable box it's from -5 to even +1. I assumed all this was just the result of sources with different output levels feeding a unit with no input level controls. As for going into the positive-db range on the 990 volume control - not in my listening environment, thankyouverymuch. Also I'm not that keen on damaging speakers that would cost about $1800 to replace at today's prices. So I find this discussion of +8 and +15 puzzling.

Psyprof1,

To clarify, I just wanted to see how high the volume setting would go on my 990 but I did not have any recordings on to check. Even with my Magnepan IIIas, I would not play them in the "positive" range of the 990. Would be way too loud for me. With movies, I typically have the volume setting around -15dBs.

Slbenz

Wow I forgot that picture was up there. Way outdated lol. Anyway it does vary between inputs. The output is nowhere near what it should be. Im gonna test the voltage output at the preout. According to specs it should be close to 10 volts. I will keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the replies

I've got my 990 defaulted to come up at -35 dB. This is sufficient for normal listening. I may run TV up to about -20. Blu Ray, HD, DVD, and CD seem to be about the same relative volume levels as the cable box output. All but the CD are digital into the 990.

I've had it as high as 0 dB once but I must be too old, as it was too loud. Besides, the bird gets upset when it's past about -5 dB and there's a loud bass passage.

My default is also -35dB, which works well for cable TV and is pretty good for CD's as well (unless I have the house to myself and can crank it up a bit). DVD's need to be turned up a bit.

Well Im able to get decent output with everything set at +8 on the trims. Im still not too happy I have to do that But Ill live with it. And yes I might just be a little on the crazy side with my listening levels. Lets just say you would NOT! want to be my neighbor. My updated sub is being powered by a pair of CREST AUDIO CA9s one on each coil. 144.3 db at 42Hz on an Audio Control RTA meter :p

Davin, very impressive set up! I am a parasound owner too, 1206-not quite the muscle of the 3500 though. When you are not listening to that beast, do you use it as a welder? Did you have to run a seperate circuit for the 3500? My trim settings very from 0 to -2(sub is a direct servo from rythmik audio set at -4) and my speakers are Infinity kappas from the 80's(efficiency of 87db). When I watch a movie, I usually have it at -10, or if I push it -5 to -2. Listening to dvd audio or sacd, -5 to 0, these give a db level of 105+/- 2db. Brian

It's unusual to see all channels in a home theater calibrate to the same trim setting. It may be a silly question, but have you done a manual calibration using an SPL meter? If so, I'm curious what the reference level is being calibrated to (what the internal test tones measure for each channel when volume is set to 0dB) with that +8dB trim setting.