I agree with Paul McGowan. I don’t pay attention to db levels as my guide. My guide is what the particular music should be played at to be in proportion if it were live, and per where I am ‘sitting’ for the performance. Of course, I play a lot of acoustic music, where that is more easily defined in ‘size’.
What is the proper loudness for listening?
Paul McGowan via YouTube claims that each room, system and recording has a specific sound level at which music sounds most "real"
I've noticed this myself listening to my 3 different systems set up in differing rooms. Thought I was crazy to think so but I guess maybe I'm not?
Also, have notice in smaller listening rooms that lower maximum volume levels sound more real. Going too high on volume in a small room just overloads it and results in distortion
Any comments?