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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mstrshikadance

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 .

@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!

 

@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. 

Good Luck with CJ 

I use a passive Gold Point preamp with my SS amp , 

in reading that the CJ volume control is to loud at 1 with 25 db preamp gain and  the Schitt allows you to go up to 7-8 with no gain it got me thinking .  

The 24 position control on the GP passive ( good reading on the web site ) increases volume by different db levels for the first 7 positions then at a steady 2 db's after that ,  using a tube phono preamp I play music from the 12 to 14 positions . So it's a [possibility that the Schitt does the same . If you look into a passive preamp look for one that from the beginning increases volume by 1/2 or 1 db , just a thought .

The Decware should match great with your speakers. I just picked up a used Torii MK IV and I'm having lots of fun. I am now looking for efficient speakers like the Zu. Please let us know how you like it. Are you still breaking in the Soul VI? Are you going to go for the new Sarah 300b?

 

-Karl