Audiophile Loudness Wars—Too Much again!?

If you think this is a problem, just buy less efficient speakers.

So' the definition of loundness means an increase of volume but imply a reduction of dynamic,
( increase of average power and decrease of
The final sound lost in matter in many case, the dynamic is the main criteria to save in live music...

Certainly not a necessary corollary.
too much gain is balanced by more attenuation in the volume control, with dynamic range handled absolutely proportionally.  Again, caveats to all the issues associated with conductive plastic volume pots....

G

thinking about many of the responses, i suspect we are confusing several issues:  gain, recording volume, use of limiters and compressors to increase average playback level etc.  Unless you are running a very unusual piece of equipment "more gain" will not cause those issues (such as **compression** or **loud playback levels**)  on its own.  It simply will play back louder for any given volume knob setting.

The only real issues are 1) lack of granular volume control and channel tracking when using only, say 12-->4 positions on the volume control.  The other potential (2)  associated problem is potential overload of any first preamp stage (only preamp stage(s) before the volume control is implemented - all others buffered by said volume control)

can't speak to the issues re: separates but i adjust gain on my DAC and mixer (2 channels - 2 tt's) as needed and generally leave the volume on my integrated alone (at about 11 o'clock) unless i want to get Very loud. This is the best way i've found to keep volume consistent and under control, regardless of source 

Someone mentioned component matching.
I agree much of the issue centers on this. Especially if you are mixing tubes and solid state pre amps and amps.