matching gain for pre-amp and power-amp

[babebambi]

... I am not tech savvy enough to put the situation in the most accurate of terms, so I apologize in advance ... and please do point out how you would describe it otherwise, I like to learn.

I am trying to find out if the Eden Nav and Crest CA9 would be a good combo, in terms of gain structure.

Here's some spec of the two pieces of equipment:

Eden
The Limiters are calibrated to two standard Power Amplifier input voltage requirements: high voltage standard (such as a Crown amplifier) @ 2.8VRMS and low voltage standard @ 1.4VRMS.

Crest
The CA Series amplifiers have a standard input sensitivity of .775 Volts for rated power at 8 Ohms. Models CA2, CA4, CA6, CA9 and CA12 are fitted with an internal jumper which allows optional gains of X20 or X40.

Does that means even when the Eden is on the low voltage setting, it will easily clip the input section of the Crest? Can I avoid that by simply turning down the front control on the Crest?

[bongomania]

Yes a 1.4V signal can potentially clip an amp designed for .775V, and no you cannot avoid that by turning down the knob on the power amp. You can avoid that by turning down the master volume knob on the Eden.

The reason the power amp knob won't help is that it is a gain control for a stage that's after the input stage. It doesn't turn down any signal going into the input stage.

Eden master volume knob = no problem using the two units together.

[babebambi]

thanks bongo