My girl friend is a genius

Blindjim,
Thanks for the response. I believe at lower volumes even the ss pre would appear to put out less bass because at higher levels the room gets loaded with bass more so than at lower levels.
Last night I bought an lp of piano on bis label, never has my system sounded so life-like. I may have to take back my statement about bass shy and leave it alone. This combo of equipment is just right. This is what I am using now: Zu/denon 103r, graham 2.2 modded, vpi tnt modded, jlti phono stage (very special phono), audio experience a2se, simaudio w-5, merlin vsm's. Room treated on all sides.

I forgot to mention as someone here on gon (thanks Mike) pointed out ss pre's can sound lean, this is something I did notice with my system.

I think, perhaps, she asked you to turn down the volume so you can hear her better and not so much sound. A crafty woman no doubt, but "genius", I think not. What may now appear to be concern for you audio enjoyment is really a subterfuge. I know, I am happily married!

On the flip side, when I purchased my Bryston 28BSSTs, I found myself listening a both lower and higher volumes. Like non-other I have heard, this amp sounds excellent at lower and moderate levels and on the other end, the control they have over the drivers at much higher levels too is astonishing.

Enjoy the pursuit, John

I almost got me a pair of the top Merlins... but passed as I am a bass junkie... for whatever reasons.

Recordings play a big part in the sounds actual range depth, and weight. Analog or digi. Naturally so does the amp and all the other audiophile analogies.

I do note a diff in bass from tubes to SS as well. Depending. Speaker design too can make bass sound different. Personally I've found there is little else which produces great bass than great bass drivers. you can tune an enclosure, labyrynth or channel the low end thru a myriad of passages and out a port.... but the sound simply for me, does not replace that which a great large low end driver can generate.

That said, an active sub surpasses a good many floorstanding loudspeakers bass production.

I've found too when introducing another piece into the signal chain you'll get always another perspective on the same recording. thereafter the optician's appraisal... Better, same, or worse?

With all else the same, usually interjecting a different amp will make a greater diff down deep than will a preamp exchange... ordinarily. Fact is, I dig exchanging amps in and out now for various mood oriented musical genres than anything else.... and I'm lately liking hybrid amps a bunch... though these thoughts pertain to the whole of my own system. In a different room, diff speakers, etcv... it could easily be otherwise.

The key is to keep the volume at a level where 'she' can always be heard.

Has she got a sister