The Rougue preamp states a max output of  9V from unbalanced out, which describes the loop  connections. This would only occur from a really loud short term peak. The 9V is describing capability, that's all. Unless you listen to the system tremendously loud, I wouldn't imagine the output  peaking higher than 4V, and that on rare occasion.

The CXN streamer doesn't state output level, so I think it's safe to assume the industry standard 2V, which is 0dBFS, that is, -maximum- of 2V. Most amplifiers are really loud (if they have the power) w/ that level of input. If anything, your volume control is likely attenuating the input signal much of the time.

In any case I think the 4V  max for ZR2 is in reference to the point beyond which overload distortion starts. It's a tube device, so more reasonably impervious to short term overload events. I seriously doubt occasional short term peaks of even 9V (which I think very unlikely in this situation) would 'break' the ZR2; worst case it would shorten tube life a bit.

The product description page says 15V. The manual says "Input voltage 4 volts max"

How do you know the voltage level into your ZR2?

It's just a guess but I think the Manual is for the original ZROCK and not the ZROCKII.

Archiie

Outputs set to full, Volume set to full.  Input pots set to zero and charted through their range.

I know you have your (CP3) volume set pretty high, but what about the input and output controls?

Your DAC you say is louder (through the CP3) than your phono input. Assuming 2V dBFS (maximum level) from the DAC, the average level would likely be at least 10dB below that, or ~ .63V, which that being 6dB above the reference level for consumer gear- .316V. In any case a full 2V would only occur as a short term spike in real life.

Beyond that, with out knowing the input and output levels you set (aside the volume setting) it's not possible to estimate what's actually going out.


It could be that the 15V means an absolute max input, and 4V is max before onset of distortion. Somewhat like the info at the bottom of the chart you posted, where Steve says "That means you can shove 10 volts into it (CP3) but it will always sound better set to 3.38 or less." But what you say about ZR vs. ZR2 could explain it. More likely that.

My inputs are set to 7 and everything else is full on.  I sometimes bump them up a click on vinyl and either leave them as is or back them off a click for CDs.  I just go off of Steve's voltage chart.

You'll have to search old posts or ask Steve but I'm pretty sure that 4V max input is a hold over from the original ZROCK which didn't last long.  Steve doesn't necessarily update his manuals.  

On the Forum we've discussed placing the ZR2 both before and after the CSP3 and if 4 volts was the maximum no distortion input I don't think this would have come up.  I don't hear distortion in either position but maybe others do?