2. amps-preamps
  3. 187649-176074

Preamp Gain issues with high efficiency speakers

Hey all,

Been having a hard time with my system lately.

I recently got a pair of Zu Soul 6 that are 100db efficient. My power amp is a Conrad Johnson Premier 11 (70wpc) and my Preamp is a Conrad Johnson ET3-SE that has 25db of gain. Source is a streamer (PI2AES) with Denafrips Pontus II DAC, but it is the same regardless of source.

My issue is that even at 1 out of 100 on my preamp, the volume is still quite loud. If I were to turn it up to 30, I would be well north of 95db.

Due to a new baby, most of my listening is at low volumes.

I have been using in line attenuators but I feel like it adds a slight veil to the sound of the music.

I swapped out my Preamp for a Schit Sys passive pre and I could only turn the knob to maybe 7 or 8 pm before it was LOUD. I figured with a passive no gain pre I would be able to have more control over the volume, but this was not the case.

Is this Amp just a bad match for my speakers? I have read that it is better to have your pre running closer to 40-70% so that you are not attenuating the signal too much but I can barely get it to 5-10% before its quite loud.

Any insight, recommendations would be appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mstrshikadance
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,653 posts
 

25 db of gain is way too much. If you don’t like using in line attenuators the only other option is a preamp with a lot less gain. BTW, CJ preamps are known for having preamps with high gain.

blackbag20
452 posts
 

Are you able to return the Souls and acquire a suitable speaker ... something low in impedance, a bit less sensitive ...

 

There is a demo set of  SF Olympica Nova III.  Asking $6,000. Now that's Christmas!!

 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,111 posts
 

Something doesn’t add up. The input sensitivity of the Premier 11 is 950mV, which is high, but not as high as some CJ amps. Some are on the order of 500-600mV. I can see where 25 db of gain and 100 db speakers would pose a problem. But the Sys should have been much better in this regard.

For comparison, my system.

Amp input sensitivity = 1.5v

Speaker sensitivity = 104 db

Preamp = 0 db of gain (Hattor Audio passive).

I am able to run comfortably at 80% of the volume control of the Hattor most of the time. I can reach 90% when listening at very loud levels. Ideally, you’d want to be at the upper end of most preamps which is the least attenuation. In your situation with the Schiit passive pre I would think you should be at 80% or more of max volume.

I’m not saying you don’t know what you are talking about, but it seems strange that a passive pre doesn’t gel in your system. On paper it’s a perfect match.

 

PS

Another thought. What is the output of your source? Standard 2v digital output or something higher?

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,310 posts
 

Happily, you have remote volume, AND remote balance for that Preamp, a desirable feature in any case, refine any volume control you add 

Niles Speaker Selector boxes are high quality

 

this one looks like standard component width

 

 

 

mesch
3,473 posts
 

Yes, I am thinking the voltage output of your source is  unusually high.

More to discover