BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS

this is the lowest price for a working Chase RLC-1 I have seen since I’ve been buying them (I have 4, got another 3 for friends)

Chase RLC-1 with Remote, $50. delivered, just listed

Your system, your existing speakers, any future speakers, will sound more involving at low volumes.

You must have a remote, no controls on the box

unplugged/plugged in all lights blink restores it’s defaults: everything centered, no boost. Adjust your preamp for ’normal’ listening volume. leave the preamp’s volume there for ever.

up, use the chase, no compensation

dn, use the chase, after you go below the default volume, the Chase automatically and Progressively begins bass boost. back up, the boost lessens and back to zero boost at it’s default volume.

I only use 1 in/out but it has 4 line in and two identical out (front and rear are identical, from the early quad era of simply 4 speakers in a room with a fader)

If you don’t like it, I’ll buy it from you.

variety of uses

1. main system, select source at preamp; preamp out to chase to amp, all it’s features, remote balance: once you have it, you will not want to live without it.

2. office, I just use it for remote system power (I switched rear outlet), saves me walking around my desk, that’s it, the Luxman Integrated has it’s own remote volume, manual balance and manual input switch, I have to get up to put a tape or lp on anyway

3. garage/shop: alternate use thru the processor loop of my Yamaha receiver for remote volume and mute while working on projects down there. I can listen with or without it instantly, there is no way anyone has ever been able to detect these in any of my systems over the years, just the benefits of it's features.

there is a lot of bad advice on this forum and every audio forum because most of the members get their info from people trying to sell them bigger and more expensive amps. There are dealers who are members here to throw fuel on the fire.

I had Martin Logans CLS and what I liked most about them was the tremendous midrange that sounded excellent at low volume. of course they lacked bass but ML fixed that with the hybrid and your 11A sould be spectacular at low volume.

I often say that if your system has to be turned up to sound good, then your system sucks. Not attacking your system at all but I commend you for wanting to achieve what most people here think doesn’t exist.

First, lets look at your source. the Qutest is nice, probably your best bet in that price range. I have the DAVE. I upgraded DAVE to a Lampizator GG3 but right now I am back to DAVE as my Lampizator isn’t playing nicely with the Amp. A used chord DAVE is an awesome buy right now as they are getting old but still sound excellent. Between the DAC and the AMP, I have a Transformer Volume Control by Akustika Eterna (disclosure, I have an interest in that company). Using the TVC makes any system sound "bigger" and "fuller" at low volume. It it is a bit spendy.

Streamer--I have a grimm which is a higher price range but you get the least bang for the buck upgrading your streamer. So I would focus elsewhere.

Now to the meat of the system. I discussed the source first because GIGO, you have to have a good source. But then if your amp isn’t great, you’ll lose all the good work you are doing at the front end. At your listening levels, you’re listening to 1 watt or less. But you have a 300W amp. I’ve yet to hear a 300W amp that sounds great at 1/2 watt. I’ve often wondered if you can get by with a 6 wpc 300b amp on the new MLs since the bass is provided by the onboard amp. Probably not. But I did try my ML CLSs with a 30 wpc push pull tube amp that sounded great. That was a decware ZMA. If you don’t want tubes, there are many lower power ss amps that focus on giving you a great first watt. but as they say, if the first watt sucks, the next 299 won’t help. Focus on the first watt.

So in conclusion, I’d focus on the amp first and then the DAC. I have a friend who uses the Qutest in a very excellent system that sounds great at low volumes.

Jerry

PS you can probably lose the preamp. Preamps aren’t necessary in most cases but again, dealers always want to sell more gear and owners always want to stand behind their buying decisions. they just add another level of processing that takes away from the great sound, espcecially at low levels. easy to try--plug your DAC into your amp and see how it sounds.  I don't think the Qutest has volume control (DAVE does) but you can use Roon volume control is pretty good if you use Roon.  of couse I recommnd the TVC mentioned above but it is another expense.

I suggest a look at Reference 3A speakers like the de Capo or the Reflector

I have the de Capos with a 4 watt tube amp and at 13.5 feet i easily get 56-60 db, can go much louder but its very detailed and full sounding even at lower levels.

Chase Innards, a Motorola Chip I presume for the display and remote, a Philips Chip for the features, zero noise (105 db s/n ratio) useful features.

I just bought this spare unit, I will add a front toggle on/off switch when it arrives, so I can get back to defaults without unplugging it.

One unit arrived no good, the little transformer on the power board had come off, it must have been seriously dropped,

OP, 

I think it is very resonable to assemble a high end audio system and only listen at very low levels. I listen at lower and lower levels as I have gotten older and enjoy the nuances better and better.

I do not have an answer. My system has sounded the better it has gotten. Each upgrade cycle has made it sound better at lower levels. I have heard a couple of vary well know reviewers typically listen in the 60db range.