High end high quality int. amp for low level listening

’’Maybe you’re right. But there would have to be a reason why the sounded better.’’

Because efficiency and sensitivity are not the same. See: tech note
below page 1 section C:

/www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/reference/notes/tech1-3a.htm

That TABLE 1 in section B right on page 1 says that the the high efficiency are the lest linear.

Are harmonics at play that make them sound better when playing low?

60dB listening volume is very low (medium TV level at 10ft.). Even taking into account your 86db sensitivity and 4 ohm impedance of the Sonus Faber Sonetto speakers. The Pathos will have more than enough power for your low listening levels. 

@holmz,
The woofers in my speakers are the JBL 2234h. See: page 2 section C: internal design and construction last paragraph.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/reference/notes/tech1-3a.htm

I was kind of interested in seeing if anyone has a firm grasp on what makes for a system that sounds great at low volume. It has puzzled me for a long time. From the answers, it doesn’t sound like anyone else does. I have a fuzzy idea.


After fifty years of trading up in an attempt to put together the best system I suspect it is primarily the speakers… but you can loose it by not having good electronics behind it. Planar speakers don’t seem to be good at it. I am thinking efficient speakers are more likely to exhibit good performance at low volume. Tone controls don’t help… I don’t think it is a fundamental characteristic of the amp… certainly not the preamp. So, everything, to me, points primarily to the speakers.

My current system is very good at it. Quite by coincidence (with morning coffee) I am currently listening at about 60db. The noise floor is very low, sounds discrete and extremely fleshed out. My speakers are not tremendously efficient (see my user ID), but they are adequately powered.