How to adjust volume in my new setup?

[mistergsf]

I haven’t posted in a long time so PLEASE let me know if this question belongs in a different section.

My living room home theater system is currently a 5.1 setup (but without a sub right now). My AVR is an Onkyo TX-SR706, main front L/R are DALI Ikon 7’s, center is DALI Vokal 2, and surrounds are DALI Ikon 2’s.

I’ve always felt my mains were lacking some oomph so I decided to add my Onkyo Integra A-809 integrated amp into the mix to power my mains and take a load off the AVR. This setup would also allow me to have a nice 2-channel setup for listening to my vinyl in the living room in addition to the man cave.

After making all the proper connections and making sure it was working, I set the volume knob on the A-809 to 12 o’clock and ran Audessey. This is where things are really fuzzy for me; the proper way to control the volume.

When I first turn on my system to watch TV or a Blu-ray, the volume is at a low level. If I turn up the volume on the AVR, do I also have to adjust the volume on the amp as well? It seems I would have to have the volume in sync on both. Is that correct? This is where I need help. I am totally lost with how to manage the volume.

Please help!!!

FYI, since both AVR and amp are Onkyo, using my universal remote will control the volume on both.

BTW, my fronts sound ridiculous!!! I should have done it sooner.

Marcus