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Audiophile Loudness Wars—Too Much again!?

Obviously a huge chunk of popular western music has been involved in the loudness wars of the recording industry. But do we now have Hifi loudness wars? Sometimes I look at or try out new pieces, and think audio designers are putting too much gain in our preamps, amps, and DACs. Or am I off here? You won’t hurt my feelings.
I’m getting a sense that lots of gear falls over the side of center towards higher gain.

Hey, it happens to me! You can’t edit titles. It’s supposed to be “too much gain”.
128x128jbhiller
pedroeb
493 posts
 
Ah the loudness wars.

Don't ya just love it.

Too much gain, too much compression, too much clipping, too much volume. Too much of everything!
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Setting up the system for the amount of gain you need or want is an important consideration. I can say that the loudness wars are real and the best equipment is the kind that grows on you not the stuff that just sounds loud on first listen.
bobthenailer's avatar
bobthenailer
41 posts
 
Get an inline stereo attenuator; then, just adjust it to get the reduction in gain that you’re looking for. 
jnorris2005
185 posts
 
I have to wonder if the excess gain is in response to the jokers who think an amp is underpowered if they have to turn the volume control to 2:00 before their ears start to bleed.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Get an inline stereo attenuator; then, just adjust it to get the reduction in gain that you’re looking for.

And use it instead for the volume control, and get rid of the unnecessary gain, noise, and distortion, introducing active preamp.

Cheers George
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