An audio preamplifier (1) for a microphone, including: a chassis (2) with at least one audio input (17) and at least one audio output, a control panel (3) including a gain selector (10) being arranged on one of the sides of the chassis (2), the chassis (2) further including a receiving compartment inside which a first connector is arranged; and a cartridge (6) comprising a preamplification circuit and a gain control circuit, the cartridge (6) further having a second connector complementary to the first connector, the cartridge (6) being configured for being inserted in a removable manner into the receiving compartment of the chassis (2) so as to connect the first and second connectors. An audio preamplification kit includes an audio preamplifier (1) and a plurality of additional cartridges.

Example techniques may provide volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a first playback device in a first playback configuration playing audio at a first volume level and storing the first volume level in association with the first playback configuration. The first playback device receives instructions to change to a second playback configuration. Based on receiving the instructions, the first playback device joins a synchrony group with a second zone and adjusts the first playback device to play audio at a second volume level which is based on a volume level of a second playback device in the second zone. While in the second playback configuration, the first playback device receives instructions to change to the first playback configuration and, based on the instructions, leaves the synchrony group and adjusts the first playback device to play audio content at the stored first volume level.

Example techniques may provide volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a first playback device in a first playback configuration playing audio at a first volume level and storing the first volume level in association with the first playback configuration. The first playback device receives instructions to change to a second playback configuration. Based on receiving the instructions, the first playback device joins a synchrony group with a second zone and adjusts the first playback device to play audio at a second volume level which is based on a volume level of a second playback device in the second zone. While in the second playback configuration, the first playback device receives instructions to change to the first playback configuration and, based on the instructions, leaves the synchrony group and adjusts the first playback device to play audio content at the stored first volume level.

Example techniques may provide volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a first playback device in a first playback configuration playing audio at a first volume level and storing the first volume level in association with the first playback configuration. The first playback device receives instructions to change to a second playback configuration. Based on receiving the instructions, the first playback device joins a synchrony group with a second zone and adjusts the first playback device to play audio at a second volume level which is based on a volume level of a second playback device in the second zone. While in the second playback configuration, the first playback device receives instructions to change to the first playback configuration and, based on the instructions, leaves the synchrony group and adjusts the first playback device to play audio content at the stored first volume level.

A system for controlling convergence of gain to a target value for a variable gain amplifier comprising a detector module configured to determine a magnitude value of a variable gain amplifier output. Also, part of this embodiment is a comparator module configured to compare the magnitude value to a target value and responsive to the comparison, generate an up_dn signal. A digital control module is configured to receive the up_dn signal and processes the up_dn signal to generate a control vector. One or more digital to analog converters are configured to convert the control vector to an analog control signal such that the analog control signal controls the gain of the variable gain amplifier. Various methods of operation exist for this hardware configured to improve convergence time to a target gain value while controlling the rate of change of the gain.

Example techniques may provide volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a first playback device in a first playback configuration playing audio at a first volume level and storing the first volume level in association with the first playback configuration. The first playback device receives instructions to change to a second playback configuration. Based on receiving the instructions, the first playback device joins a synchrony group with a second zone and adjusts the first playback device to play audio at a second volume level which is based on a volume level of a second playback device in the second zone. While in the second playback configuration, the first playback device receives instructions to change to the first playback configuration and, based on the instructions, leaves the synchrony group and adjusts the first playback device to play audio content at the stored first volume level.

Embodiments are described herein that provide numerous volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a playback device playing audio content at a first volume level as part of a first audio playback group configuration, storing a first volume level in association with the first audio playback group configuration, joining a second audio playback group configuration, playing audio content at a second volume level as a part of the second audio playback group configuration, receiving a command to play audio content as part of the first audio playback group configuration, identifying the first volume level in the data storage; and playing audio content at the first volume level as part of the first audio playback group configuration.

A system for controlling convergence of gain to a target value for a variable gain amplifier comprising a detector module configured to determine a magnitude value of a variable gain amplifier output. Also, part of this embodiment is a comparator module configured to compare the magnitude value to a target value and responsive to the comparison, generate an up_dn signal. A digital control module is configured to receive the up_dn signal and processes the up_dn signal to generate a control vector. One or more digital to analog converters are configured to convert the control vector to an analog control signal such that the analog control signal controls the gain of the variable gain amplifier. Various methods of operation exist for this hardware configured to improve convergence time to a target gain value while controlling the rate of change of the gain.

Example techniques may provide volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a first playback device in a first playback configuration playing audio at a first volume level and storing the first volume level in association with the first playback configuration. The first playback device receives instructions to change to a second playback configuration. Based on receiving the instructions, the first playback device joins a synchrony group with a second zone and adjusts the first playback device to play audio at a second volume level which is based on a volume level of a second playback device in the second zone. While in the second playback configuration, the first playback device receives instructions to change to the first playback configuration and, based on the instructions, leaves the synchrony group and adjusts the first playback device to play audio content at the stored first volume level.

An audio preamplifier (1) for a microphone, including: a chassis (2) with at least one audio input (17) and at least one audio output, a control panel (3) including a gain selector (10) being arranged on one of the sides of the chassis (2), the chassis (2) further including a receiving compartment inside which a first connector is arranged; and a cartridge (6) comprising a preamplification circuit and a gain control circuit, the cartridge (6) further having a second connector complementary to the first connector, the cartridge (6) being configured for being inserted in a removable manner into the receiving compartment of the chassis (2) so as to connect the first and second connectors. An audio preamplification kit includes an audio preamplifier (1) and a plurality of additional cartridges.