Solo streamer

@rvpiano I haven’t experienced what you’re describing with volume variance being this dramatic. I agree with @lalitk as to the reasons why - it is the recording. However there are many other factors that can contribute to this such as DAC, preamp and amp, where the components cannot reproduce the dynamic range of the recording correctly and you end up with higher than necessary volume settings on a quiet passages and get your eardrums pierced when the DR is in the norm for the electronics

May be you can post the album and track you were listening to when this happened?

I’ll report back after investigating.

 I’m becoming inured after listening to so much music.

The Pittsburgh Symphony recordings with Manfred Honeck are examples of recordings that have too much dynamic range on my set. It may sound real in a concert hall, but in my listening room it’s overpowering. Impressive, yes, but overpowering.

@rvpiano I’m listening to Bruckner 9th. The loud passages sound like borderline microphone clipping. It’s the recording. Not horrible but this particular recording may potentially be a victim of loudness wars. It’s overdone.
So there’s not much you can do.