Avantgarde Trios too loud with my amps


I just bought a pair of Avantgarde Acoustic Trio speakers and run them on BAT VK-5i and BAT VK-60 monos!
The problem: They are still too loud at the lowest volume setting on my tube amps and listening to music at night is almost impossible since my kids are asleep.
I have my phono preamp under control since it allows me to change the output, but listen to my digital source ( ML 31.5 - 30.5 combo) is definitely too loud!

Does it mean I have to go and buy another preamp?
any other ideas are highly appreciated!

many thanks,

mckorzi
mckorzi

Showing 1 response by zd542

Your BAT components are very good. I wouldn't be so fast to get rid of them. There are some things you may want to try first. Even though your amps are more powerful than what you really need, they’re very quiet and should work with your speakers.

If it was my system, the first thing I would try would be to switch both amps back to stereo. Not only would it cut the power output in half, you would then be able to do a vertical biamp. More likely than not, you would notice an improvement in sound quality as well. When you bridge a stereo amp it usually doesn’t sound as good.

Another way to go would be to call BAT and explain the situation. I would ask them 3 things. 1. See if you can use alternate tubes. 2. Ask if there is a way to lower the gain on your preamp. 3. Remove 1 power tube from each channel and go single ended. Under no circumstances would I do this without asking BAT first. I can do it with my VAC 30/30 but it may not be OK to do this with BAT.