ROG RUBY VOLUME QUESTION

[Clubman35]

I have built the Ruby and it works great, but would like to know if there is a way to decrease the output. I know, turn down the volume pot, but it doesn't have the maximum overdrive unless the volume is cranked (is this normal?). How many watts is the Ruby anyway? It's pretty loud! Many thanks.

[petemoore]

I have built the Ruby and it works great, but would like to know if there is a way to decrease the output.
I know, turn down the volume pot, but it doesn't have the maximum overdrive unless the volume is cranked (is this normal?). pins 1 and 8 can be used to set gain on the lm386 chip.
  I'ts normal that only a small part of the volume setting sounds similar..or the amp changes sound as volume is cranked. I don't think it's ever near linear.
  How many watts is the Ruby anyway? It's pretty loud! Many thanks.
  I think it says on the Ruby texts...how many watts, or whatever the chip rating is that you're using, or whatever you can get out of it without burning the chip up...

[MetalUpYerEye]

Theres nothing wrong with your Ruby if you have to dime the volume to achieve your maximum overdrive setting. If you read the Ruby page on ROG it says "If you have the Gain pot set high and you are still not getting desireable overdrive, you'll have to turn up the Volume pot to let more signal pass to the 386." In other words, the gain and volume pots work together to achieve maximum gain.

It may be considered overkill but you could try putting a second volume control between the 220uf cap and the output. Then you could use the original gain and volume as Gain 1 and Gain 2 and the new volume as Volume.

As for the wattage; Ruby is usually ranked in at about 1/2 watt.

[TheBigMan]

You could add a volume pot at the end the same as the Little Gem.  The Ruby's "volume" controls the signal input to the LM386, so really needs to be set high for maximum OD.  Adding a master volume will let you do this and keep the overall level low.

[rbatts2000]

Sorry to ask such a silly question(!) but is the Ruby amp standalone or do you need to connect it to an separate speaker cab to hear it?

[Seljer]

Sorry to ask such a silly question(!) but is the Ruby amp standalone or do you need to connect it to an separate speaker cab to hear it?

its just an amplifier, you need to hook up a speaker to hear anything

[Clubman35]

If I add a "Master Volume" at the end of the circuit, what size pot should I use?

[TheBigMan]

25 ohm pot from the Little Gem will work fine.