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.
Preamp Gain issues with high efficiency speakers
Hey all,
Been having a hard time with my system lately.
I recently got a pair of Zu Soul 6 that are 100db efficient. My power amp is a Conrad Johnson Premier 11 (70wpc) and my Preamp is a Conrad Johnson ET3-SE that has 25db of gain. Source is a streamer (PI2AES) with Denafrips Pontus II DAC, but it is the same regardless of source.
My issue is that even at 1 out of 100 on my preamp, the volume is still quite loud. If I were to turn it up to 30, I would be well north of 95db.
Due to a new baby, most of my listening is at low volumes.
I have been using in line attenuators but I feel like it adds a slight veil to the sound of the music.
I swapped out my Preamp for a Schit Sys passive pre and I could only turn the knob to maybe 7 or 8 pm before it was LOUD. I figured with a passive no gain pre I would be able to have more control over the volume, but this was not the case.
Is this Amp just a bad match for my speakers? I have read that it is better to have your pre running closer to 40-70% so that you are not attenuating the signal too much but I can barely get it to 5-10% before its quite loud.
Any insight, recommendations would be appreciated!
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- 43 posts total
@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'. |
@atmasphere thank you for your reply. This was the same conclusion I came to as well. While I can listen perfectly with my system as it is, the only issue is the lack of usable volume control at the low end. Other than that, it sounds incredible. I have been on the Decware list for roughly 2 years and am about 50 from the top...so hopefully not too long. That was always the long term solution for these speakers. I am considering spending a bit more on the Decware amp to something higher in the line to be my end game tube amp. I also have a FW J2 on the way which will take care of my solid state needs I believe. I like to swap out tubes for SS every few months. Thank you for your help!
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@vair68robert I was considering this, but I only have the stock Premier 11, not the 11a. I am unclear whether they can convert the 11 to the 11XS. I have asked CJ and will let you know. |
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