Low Volumes

I would think about some classic Quad 57's, 63's or the newer 988/9. A Quad tube amp, or Rogue, Cary 120s would work well, and stay within your budget. That's some great sounding stuff there.

Hi,

I've had quite a bit of kit through the years, and I'm currently in disbelief of my current system: Cardersound Tybone Vs. 1 (Saburo cabinet with Planet10 EnAbled Fostex FE126E drivers), Cardersound Morgan, and the latest Miniwatt amp (N3). Due to the nature of a single driver covering everything, and the Morgan covering 85hz and below, low level listening is the best I've ever had. Any speaker with a crossover will have a sweet spot where the sound comes together. With the Tybone/Saburo, the sound is complete and organic from a whisper to very loud in my 8' X 14' X 9' room.

I've had horn systems that do loud better than any box/cone speaker, but I've never enjoyed low-level listening through them. I have a little over $1,600 invested in amp and speakers, and it is the most involving system I have had. Doesn't matter what type of music, if there is emotion and nuance involved, this system lays it out. When I want to get loud (Green Day - American Idiot), the drums are in the room, and the soundscape is huge.

There had been a pair of homemade Saburos on Audigon a few weeks back - it's a great secret and nobody had scooped them up ($365?). If music is what you chase, try a great single driver and cabinet...

I have another Agon buddy who is quite enamored with his Omega speakers, and I have spent some great times with Ed's Hornshoppe Horns. I think all of these speakers need bass augmentation to be full-range systems.

Good Listening!

>Do I need better speakers? Model 1s crossed my mind. Better amp? A Luxman 505u crossed my mind.

A digital preamp with a decent loudness control would be ideal. Some form of equalization to increase the bottom end would be a step in the right direction.

The equal loudness contours (SPLs at which different frequencies sound like they have the same volume) vary with level so recordings have a range in which they sound right.

If you want to listen at lower volumes, you're going to be out of luck.

The problem is not your amplifier. I had the same experience with Totem Model Ones. They needed a good amount of volume from my Krell KSA 80B for the sound to become balanced.

When Robert Reina reviewed the Cayin A-50T he reviewed it with Monitor Audio Silver RS6 speakers. He said "the Cayin's midrange reproduction was that of an amplifier able to resolve an extraordinary amount of inner detail". "With every recording I played, the highs were pure, extended, airy and delicate, with no trace of coloration."

This detail is what you are missing with the Totem speakers at low volume.

Maybe you should try the Monitor Audio Silver RS6 speakers. They seem to be a good match with your amp.