HIGH NOON ?
After reading various comments on the twelve o'clock position on the volume control of your amplifier being the maximum for un-distorted sound.
Why are we given the option to go past the best maximum setting ?
Would it be possible to have a set minimum/maximum range.
Maybe on a step by step click system to avoid distortion .
Thoughts..............
Loudspeakers vary a lot in sensitivity (from about 82dB to 92dB typically). They also have different impedance characteristics that can make them /easier/harder to drive.
So two people, with the same amp, playing through different loudspeakers (Spendor S3/5R2s and MA BX5s with a 6dB difference for instance) will have their volume controls set differently to achieve the same level.
Compare Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms to Them Crooked Vultures' self titled album as a rough idea of how different the level can be at the source material.
After reading various comments on the twelve o'clock position on the volume control of your amplifier being the maximum for un-distorted sound.
It is not as simple as that. You don't necesseraly have 'undistorted' signal before an amplifier clips. Often, they have higher distortion with the first few watts, then it lowers, eventually rising again with approaching maximum. Different amplifiers have different distortion signatures too making the whole thing even more complicated.
regards
After reading various comments on the twelve o'clock position on the volume control of your amplifier being the maximum for un-distorted sound.
It is not as simple as that. You don't necesseraly have 'undistorted' signal before an amplifier clips. Often, they have higher distortion with the first few watts, then it lowers, eventually rising again with approaching maximum. Different amplifiers have different distortion signatures too making the whole thing even more complicated.
regards
+1 
....... dont you just love the variables
Well, I am sure amplifier manufacturers dont. For them, speaker variables are often a headache, resulting either in a highly compromised, very specific design or in archwelder like creations. One of the reasons a good active speaker has certain advantages.
regards
Compare Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms to Them Crooked Vultures' self titled album as a rough idea of how different the level can be at the source material.
both fantastic albums IMO 
Speaker efficiency, varying source level outputs, varying level of source material etc etc.
David @Frank Harvey Hi-Fi, Coventry
Mitsubishi HC7000 / Oppo BDP103 / Audiolab 8200AP / Rotel RMB1575 / kick ass speaker system