Too much power?


Forgive me for what is probably a silly question.
I've been out of the entry level audiophile scene for nearly 17 years and I'm not sure about the set up I'm currently running as I had to replace my mains.
Long story, short, I had a pair of M&K S-125 speakers stolen 2 weeks ago when my house was burglarized. I decided to try something different and bought a pair of Definitive Technology SM45 speakers. I'm powering the SM45 speakers with a Parasound HCA-3500. I'm using an old Yamaha RX-V592 as a preamp. Between the Yamaha CD player I installed a Musical Fidelity X-ACT DAC followed by a Musical Fidelity X-10D (for a little warmer sound). All cables are by Monster Cable.
To me it seems that I may have too much power driving the speakers. The reason I believe that is that the volume dial does not have to move more than 75 degrees up from 0 to have the system on the loud side. The speakers are rated at 150W and the amp is rated at 350W.
Am I over-driving the new SM45 speakers?
Should switch over to the Carver TFM-35 I have powering the M&K S-80 center speaker?
Your thoughts would be appreciated 
exiledviking

Showing 4 responses by exiledviking

Thank you, gentlemen! I appreciate your responses. Due to the slush fund being nearly depleted for this year, I'm going to try the Harrison Labs attenuators to see if that helps. Once the funds allow I will look into replacing the Yamaha as a preamp. Is there a preamp/HTR that will also allow me to use it as a surround sound processor?
Is it preferable to install the attenuators at the input on the amp or at the input at the preamp from the CD player/DAC?
I've been reading here on the forum and it appears that both methods are used.
Thank you, GhostHouse. Now I have some more reading to do. 
Yes, you are correct. I love the quality of the sound, it is just too loud for barely moving the volume control.
I appreciate all of your replies. I have decided to sell the Parasound HCA-3500 and the Yamaha receiver and replace them with a Marantz SR7008. I'm also selling my Carver TFM-35 in order to buy a DefTech center speaker to match the SM45s. After thinking about it for nearly a week I've concluded that my use of the SM45s is 97% for HT and the Marantz should be a good fit along with a matching DefTech center speaker. Someday I will build a 2 channel audio only system as well.