Coincident Linestage vs CJ CT5 or Allnic L-3000

it would be top notch if Coincident can offer 2 variants of volume control(more steps at higher price) to capture a bigger market pie.

Phillip was that a problem in your audition of the CSL? I`ve had no complaint or issue with the volume gradients/steps( or maintaining equal channel balance).It just proves once again we`re all different.
Regards,

I have relatively inefficient speakers (Magnepan 3.7R's) and amps with somewhat low input sensitivity (2.8 V to give 28 dB gain) and yet the volume setting on the CSL is about 9 to 11 o'clock, which gives peak db levels at my listening position of ~ 87 to 90 dB. The current CSL offers 14 dB gain, and the settings from 10 to 2 are 0.5 db increments. Above and below 10 to 2 the graduations are more course.

All of that tells me that with high efficiency speakers, high input sensitivity amps, high output sources, or recordings done at high levels, one could wish for more volume steps.

I was concerned about this issue and discussed it with Israel prior to making the final decision to purchase.

It's just one more box to check on the system matching homework.

And yes, I agree, this is one outstanding preamp. Almost got 24 hours on it now.

Brownsfan,
The orginial CSL(2009) had 20 db of gain and this was too much for my
system(10/2009).I returned it to Israel and he sent me a unit built with 10
db of gain which is just perfect for me. He can offer different levels of gain
depending on need.My speakers are 94 db at 14 ohms (I use the 16 ohm
tap), amp sensitivity is .7 V and my DAC output is 3..1 volts.
Regards,

Charles, I asked him about the 10 and 20dB gain options. His answer was pretty much along the lines of "the current CSL has 14 dB of gain. That should put you in the 10 to 2 o'clock area for most of your listening." He appears to have been correct in his prediction, although I think it will tend toward the 10-12 o'clock area.

I think if you were trying to drive his 97 dB efficient speakers with the 20 gain CSL you could have some issues. I don't know if he would have offered a lower gain option if I had pressed the issue. He seemed quite confident the stock unit would work. I would have been concerned about higher gain though. After all, I was using a unity gain passive, and that not ever wide open.

BTW, when I went to bed last night the brightness had passed (~ 5 hrs). After playing at low levels all night and all day, not only is the brightness gone but the lean tonal balance is warming. I just love what i am hearing.