why do some systems need higher volume settings to sound good

[Nick B]

My system requires I crank up the volume to sound the best. I am wondering if this is mostly a function of the speaker design and the driver materials used. Or do the components have more of an effect than the speakers?

[ejk]

Good question. Could it be gain issues?

[Jack]

Combination of preamp gain and amplifier input sensitivity.  Your Hattor has a low ouput gain of 0,3,or 6db and both of your amps have input sensitivities over 2 volts.

[Nick B]

Combination of preamp gain and amplifier input sensitivity.  Your Hattor has a low ouput gain of 0,3,or 6db and both of your amps have input sensitivities over 2 volts.

Jack,
Can speaker materials ever play a role? IOW, are certain materials a bit harder to drive?
It seems I have usually had systems that require me to crank up the volume, which I enjoy doing anyway.
But because of the excellent sound nowadays, I pay more attention to that type of thing.

[Jack]

No not really, it's the overall efficiency of the complete speaker system. Some materials like the Be tweeter on the Carerra can make you want to turn things down unless you design the rest of the system with it in mind.For example I could only enjoy mine with an all tube front end to dull it down.

[Nick B]

No not really, it's the overall efficiency of the complete speaker system. Some materials like the Be tweeter on the Carerra can make you want to turn things down unless you design the rest of the system with it in mind.For example I could only enjoy mine with an all tube front end to dull it down.

Thanks. That Be tweeter was tough to handle sometimes.  It's nice there's no need to have to turn down the Voce Grandes

[rollo]

Where is your volume control set at 10, 12, more ? Gain is the issue. What is the gain of your amp ? preamp ? Total gain matters. What is the sensitivity of your speakers and power of your amp ? Synergy of gain IMHO is one of the most important things.


charles

[Nick B]

Where is your volume control set at 10, 12, more ? Gain is the issue. What is the gain of your amp ? preamp ? Total gain matters. What is the sensitivity of your speakers and power of your amp ? Synergy of gain IMHO is one of the most important things.


charles

Charles,

Am using +9db on the Hattor preamp. I don't know the gain on the Erhard amp. Jack just got one and maybe he can chime in. My guess is 21 db. My speakers are 88.5 db as I recall. A terrific sounding system for a reasonable amount of money.

[ejk]

Where is your volume control set at 10, 12, more ? Gain is the issue. What is the gain of your amp ? preamp ? Total gain matters. What is the sensitivity of your speakers and power of your amp ? Synergy of gain IMHO is one of the most important things.


charles

Charles,

Am using +9db on the Hattor preamp. I don't know the gain on the Erhard amp. Jack just got one and maybe he can chime in. My guess is 21 db. My speakers are 88.5 db as I recall. A terrific sounding system for a reasonable amount of money.

I can't keep up with Jack

[Jack]

For now I'm running the Motherlode XL at full gain and the gain control on the Elvis at 50% so likely somewhere between 21-25db gain on the amp. I just got the Elvis yesterday so still experimenting on the correct balance on the two gain controls as my Verity Arindal's are 93db semsitivity. I was running the Motherlode at full gain on the 25s with the jumpers on the amps removed.

[rollo]

I'm talking gain of components. Combined gain. IMHO the gain of preamp and amp should not exceed 26db.


charles

[ejk]

For now I'm running the Motherlode XL at full gain and the gain control on the Elvis at 50% so likely somewhere between 21-25db gain on the amp. I just got the Elvis yesterday so still experimenting on the correct balance on the two gain controls as my Verity Arindal's are 93db semsitivity. I was running the Motherlode at full gain on the 25s with the jumpers on the amps removed.

Seems pretty high on the Motherlode. Right now the jumper is removed on my Mono 25 and I have the super 6sn7 gain on 2.

[S Clark]

Nick--  9 dB gain from the  preamp isn't low, but it certainly isn't high.  Add kinda moderate efficiency speakers and a moderate power amp...   it may simply be that your at the system's limit of comfort.