2. amps-preamps
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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
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,514 posts
 

I've been thinking of trying a set of Soul 6's for another room. how do you like the sound? 

mstrshikadance OP
13 posts
 

I absolutely adore these speakers for a variety of reasons. 

1. I think they're beautiful. 

2. Midrage is flawless.

3. dynamics are unmatched

4. good bass heft

5. easy to drive (despite my ongoing gain issues)

elliottbnewcombjr
5,194 posts
 

moderator: this is NOT spam

5 way binding posts

 

 

loomisjohnson
1,905 posts
 

i've also found that in-line attenuators (in my case, rothwells) had a subtle but noticeable affect on the sound, esp. at the high end. that said, i'd also be inclined to try a different passive pre. luminous audio, for example, will match your pre to the speaker efficiency, amp input impedance/sensitivity and source output voltage. i dunno what their return policy is, but they're pretty regular guys and make a good product. 

pioneerhip's avatar
pioneerhip
40 posts
 

This is a battle you just aren't going to win with your current gear.. The bandaids mentioned above will help but it doesn't sound like that's a route you want to go. 

 

I went down this road with la scalas, kt88 push pull amp, and Doge preamp. Tons of gain in the Doge. I tried everything and in the end it really comes down to the right equipment for the speakers. 

Knowing what I know now I would have went low power with low gain or no gain preamp. 

 

A solid SET amp with a high quality preamp that's low gain should get you there. Sayes or Radu amps/preamps have been fantastic in my systems. 

Good luck on the journey, and congrats on the new little one! 

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