At what input sensitivity should I set my amp?

The input sensitivity setting is a function of amplifier gain.

You will want to match it to the output level of whatever is before the amp in the audio chain.

On most amplifiers there are generally three settings:

0.775v which corresponds to 0dBu
1.4v which corresponds to +5dBu
26dB which is a fixed "voltage gain" position

The 26dB setting is the lowest sensitivity and works well with output levels of +10dBu or more.

This is normally used when you have loudspeaker controllers in the system "upstream" of the amplifier.

The .775V and 1.4V settings are the required input levels to drive the amplfier to FULL power.
As a result of this it's easy to understand that a 100w amplifier with a sensitivity of 0.775V needs 0.775V to produce 100w at its output terminals. A 1000w amplifier with the same sensitivity and the SAME input level produces 1000w ! Although the input is the same in both cases, the output is not.

Note that the 26dB setting is a voltage gain setting therefore two amplifiers set to 26dB will produce the same voltage at their respective outputs for the same input.

Sounds like a weird idea but this is essential in some systems to ensure that all
amplifiers "track" the same.

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