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I need a loudness switch

I am by no means what I would consider a Audiophile, or a Engineer. 
 But I am fortunate enough to own some semi decent equipment.  I love music that gives me goosebumps. 
My CD playback is fine , as I don't really use it anyway. 
 But as with many others I lose substance at low volume with vinyl playback.
Dial set between 55 and 60 things come alive. But that is too loud for most sessions. 
 System is.
 VPI Classic table with a Soundsmith Carmen mkii cart.
Decware zp3 phono stage. 
Conrad Johnson et3 preamp
Conrad Johnson premier 140 amp.
 Proac Response D38 speakers.
 I would love to run the system around 35 to 45 setting , but to have a little authority. 
Does anyone have any suggestions?
 I was considering a Decware zbox that boosts the voltage. 
But with not being a Engineer.  I do not know what effects the 4 volt input will have on the cj gear.
Any input would be appreciated.  
Thank you,  Scott 
 
scottht
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Or you could try one of these, at no risk (cost).
https://www.musicdirect.com/accessories/Jolida-Foz-SS-X-Sound-Stage-Expander
I second the Jolida unit
I would not be without it now.
Love the fact it actually has three inputs so all of my analog front ends are plugged into it, cassette and reel tape which on vintage units have notoriously low outputs to begin with.
Now it does not boost treble as such, but the "wider image" dial can certainly give that impression.
Yes you have to adjust the settings at times for different sources or albums but you would likely have to do that with a Loki or any tone control piece.

Plenty of good reviews on the Black Ice and even a thread in this forum.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/jolida-black-ice-audio-foz-ss-x-sound-enhancement?highlight=j...
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 

     Yes, the old loudness controls boosted both the bass and treble to compensate for the Fletcher-Munson curve reality of human hearing.

    Strange, but this is also one of the 1st qualities I noticed with all the high quality class D amps I've owned.  The bass, midrange and treble balance seemed to be properly balanced to me no matter the volume.  YMMV?  Not sure.

Tim
elader
13 posts
 
I had tried a Loki. It does what it says it does. If you can flip the bypass on/off and settle on a loudness profile, you'll be overjoyed.

I kept fiddling and it drove me crazy :-)

Also, in bypass mode, its pretty hard to discern its actually there.... which is a good thing

scottht OP
398 posts
 
Ordered a Loki.
I will follow up. 
Thank you 
mike_in_nc
1,147 posts
 
mijostyn: Yes, I’m aware that old loudness controls boosted both bass & treble, and that the F-M curves justify that.

I read many years ago that the treble boost is questionable. I can’t remember where I read that, so I can’t cite a source. I will say, my subjective experience is that boosting the bass provides most of the benefit. My preamp has a treble control, & I’ve never felt the need to boost treble as volume decreases.
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