Stickyness: Pull the knob out a little. It just slips on.
Phones can be finicky…what model? Maybe someone can help.
No volume control on phone. Once you use a DAC there’s a fixed “line out” and you must use the amp to set volume.
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So the fact that I can use the phones volume shows it’s connected incorrectly?
Hmmm. What phone and cable setup?
The phone may still let you set volume for other functions. Please elaborate.
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I have a Galaxy S10 connected via USB right now.
I’m on an iPhone so I’ll leave that for others to answer. I have to use the goofy Apple “camera adapter” dongle to hook up a DAC.
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I have it hooked up all funky too with a USB C to a micro adapter. My phone isn’t putting out a digital signal if I can control volume level I don’t think. Thank you for the knob advice! It’s smooth as butter now.
Yes it is normal that an Android phone will still let you change volume even when connected via USB to a DAC.
If you use something like UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro) then you can set it to a fixed output in that app.
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Connected via USB it is digital.
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I figured you can’t boost a raw digital signal. This stuff is confusing.
You can digitally “boost” a signal but that’s a different topic.
In this case, you are reducing the digital signal when you lower volume on your phone (to put it in simple terms).
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Can it need to be set to max volume on the phone, and I control it on the knob on the amp? Or will that introduce a distorted signal?
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The usual rule of thumb is to have the phone set at max and control on the amplifier.
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Okay. I’m just confused as to what’s a volume knob what’s a gain knob, and if a digital signal at high levels can introduce distortion.
I apologize for the question. I’m asking you something I need to actually research. Just googled it and the “answers” look to be very long and complex.
You are over thinking this.
The digital signal on your phone is the original volume. The volume control on the phone is only reducing it from its original volume, not adding distortion.
If you have a volume control on the phone then setting to max is the correct thing to do - it passes the original signal.
Some phones and computer setups will be such that there is no volume control which just means the original signal is being passed to the dac.
No worries about the volume control, set to max and have fun!
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Wow, I was really overthinking it! Thank you for explaining the simplicity of it all 
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I suggest powering up your tube amp prior to intended use, and turning it off while not in use. Tube life is finite, and based on hours of use.
If you going to use it throughout the day, leaving it on is not an issue. If it 's going to be off for a few hours, just deactivate it and warm it back up when you use it.
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There are varying opinions. Half-hour warm up, and only on when using the amp(s) is how I use mine.
Tubes last a long time. Depending on replacement cost. leaving it on shouldn’t be an issue.
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I would recommend not leaving it on all day if you aren’t using it. I would turn it off and turn it on when you are going to listen to it for an extended period of time. Turning on and off is not the best for the tubes, but leaving on all day long everyday is worse for its lifespan.
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For additional info, see the posts in the General purchase advice thread, including mine and those before and after it:
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