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Fear of volume control

An audiophile friend of mine came over for a listening session yesterday and my set sounded better than I ever heard it. It turns out that I raised the volume control higher than normal, I guess to impress him.
Normally I place it around 12 to 1 o’clock. Yesterday I put it at between 2 and 3 o’clock.
Wow! What a difference. the room shook with the orchestra and organ at full tilt.
I was previously hesitant to push the volume much past 12 o’clock for fear of distorting the sound. There was no distortion whatsoever, just clean, beautiful, powerful sound.

Lesson learned!
128x128rvpiano
dhite71
334 posts
 
@ rvpiano
Do you have a radio shack SPL meter?  If not, download a free SPL app on your phone and measure the volume you were accustomed to and then this newfound sweet zone?  I am very curious as to the two levels where you found this improvement.  I am usually in the 80-85db zone.  Sometimes when I have had a few drinks and put on a record that I really love I will get up in the 90s, but rarely more.

@millercarbon 
What levels have you suggested to get the most out of recordings?  I don't recall seeing your comments on this.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,687 posts
 
Dhite,

I’ve done some decibel testing. Right around 85db-90db at peak volume.
dhite71
334 posts
 
Yes....the music really does have amazing impact on a nice system at that level.  : )
Post removed 
ghdprentice
7,238 posts
 
I typically listen at the 65 to 75 db range. So the fast response varies in that range. Slow is in the 70 - 75 db range.
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