Preamp Gain issues with high efficiency speakers

Thank you all for the input. I guess all the niggles are what make this hobby so fun (and the music) ... endless tinkering, and trying new things. 

To be clear, with my current set up , I am completely happy with the sound...just find it difficult to cope with the fact that I am running my pre in the bottom 10th of it's range most of the time. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter. 

That being said, I have a couple pieces of gear on the way .... 😂

It would be absurd IMO to change the speakers, preamp, amp now.

When you tame the volume, your Preamp’s volume control can be used/set to it’s ’normally best’ most linear position rather than it’s minimum starting point. That is a benefit!

These units can be used ’up front’ to select up to 4 sources and control each volume into your preamp,

OR, between the Preamp and Amp

ALPS Remote Volume Control

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804138895759.html?src=google&aff_fcid=935f07f9b1c748348354370ac9bc6f3b-1703254601863-06284-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=935f07f9b1c748348354370ac9bc6f3b-1703254601863-06284-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=9e131df15aa34acea8ffefb4ac5e99e0&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

My beloved Chase Remote Line Controller can be used similarly. None of my Audiophile Friends can EVER (over many years of blind tests) hear any difference whether it is in or out of signal path. It just does it’s thing to your advantage!

NOTE: MUST have the remote for the Chase unit, no controls on the unit.

The Chase has the added benefit of Automatically/Progressively implementing Fletcher Munson ’loudness’ (low volume bass boost), which would definitely be an advantage for you.

Default volume and higher: FM not in line

lower than default, FM begins, slight and more bit by bit as you lower the volume.

.................................................

Try the Chase, keep it, or I will buy it from you, never hurts to have a spare for me or a friend.

If you use it for a while, then solve it by other means, then if you want, I'll buy it then.

btw, I am using one Chase unit in my Office System simply for remote power of the system, then the Luxman Integrated (it's power switch left depressed) for everything else, including it's input selection; phono MM or MC; remote volume and mute.

I tend to stay away from any preamplifiers using an ALPs pot. The attenuator is the heart and soul of a good preamp and can make a huge impact on the end result.

@mstrshikadance As you've probably surmised by now, the problem isn't the preamps. Its a combination of way too much gain in the power amps and a typical digital source (your DAC) having way too much output.

Your amp reaches full power with less than 1 Volt. Your DAC makes 2 Volts... So you have to knock the signal level down quite a lot.

Normally with speakers as easy to drive as yours, the amp would have less power and certainly less gain. Your cj isn't all that powerful and the power would do OK on that speaker, but IMO/IME cj imbued the amp with too much gain. The gain is useful on less efficient speakers.

So in a nutshell its a mismatch.

The nice thing about speakers that are easy to drive is they tend to also be more dynamic as there is less thermal compression. This makes the presentation more lively and interesting. So if it were me, since all digital products put out 2 Volts single-ended, I would replace the amps with something with less gain and possibly less power. Less gain for sure. Otherwise you'll have to use attenuators and as you already noted, they impose their own sonic 'fingerprint'.

Read page 4 of the CJ manual ,  contact CJ and see if they can or WILL 

convert your 11-A 70 watt amp to the 11-XS 30 watt version .