Natural Sound

[bazelio]

No, that means you are having to play above realistic levels to get satisfying clarity at low levels and so have to “ride the gain”. Or your system is distorting on peaks and is perceived as “too loud”.

Definitely not distorting. And definitely a choice to crank it up.

 

[PeterA]

How many clicks up or down in the LL1 stepped potentiometer?

Depends on the recording. I’m not a one right room volume kind of guy. It also depends on which cartridge I’m using. The range is between about 8 o’clock and 11 o’clock on the volume control.

 

[bonzo75]

occasionally, I crank it even more because there is less distortion lower noise and I can get closer to more realistic volumes.

Btw, you could also have written this as "your noise floor dropped", because this is what happens when it drops

 

[bazelio]

Definitely not distorting. And definitely a choice to crank it up.

Looks like on the spl meter, I'm getting peaks in the 100s from a comfortable nominal volume.

 

[bazelio]

Depends on the recording. I’m not a one right room volume kind of guy. It also depends on which cartridge I’m using. The range is between about 8 o’clock and 11 o’clock on the volume control.

Same. Different equipment, but my nominal volume setting varies with the record. The range is around 10:00 to 12:00. Plenty to spare.

 

[morricab]

Looks like on the spl meter, I'm getting peaks in the 100s from a comfortable nominal volume.

But the soft end of the range is louder now or the same as before?

 

[PeterA]

Btw, you could also have written this as "your noise floor dropped", because this is what happens when it drops

Thanks for the suggestion. I wrote less distortion lower noise. Is that different from noise floor dropped?

 

[bonzo75]

Thanks for the suggestion. I wrote less distortion lower noise. Is that different from noise for dropped?

Oh ok. I thought you were against that term in the audiophile language thread though I might have been mistaken because I didn't read those threads carefully

 

[PeterA]

Oh ok. I thought you were against that term in the audiophile language thread though I might have been mistaken because I didn't read those threads carefully

I am against replacing lower noise with the phrase blacker background. I get denigrated for this distinction. To me lower noise never results in loss of information. However, sometimes when the background gets blacker, it is the result of less information. Most people ignore me when I write about this.

 

[bonzo75]

I am against replacing lower noise with the phrase blacker background. I get denigrated for this distinction. To me lower noise never results in loss of information. However, sometimes when the background gets blacker, it is the result of less information. Most people ignore me when I write about this.

Ok understand

 

[bazelio]

But the soft end of the range is louder now or the same as before?

Continuation here: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/dynamic-range-and-gain-riding.35051/#post-804110

 

[microstrip]

Depends on the recording. I’m not a one right room volume kind of guy. It also depends on which cartridge I’m using. The range is between about 8 o’clock and 11 o’clock on the volume control.

It is not I was asking. I asked how many clicks did you change your average volume after you made changes in mains.

 

[Tango]

It is not I was asking. I asked how many clicks did you change your average volume after you made changes in mains.

My experience echoed Brian's and Peter's. Now my volume on Lamm pre goes up two - three clicks.

 

[Folsom]

I am against replacing lower noise with the phrase blacker background. I get denigrated for this distinction. To me lower noise never results in loss of information. However, sometimes when the background gets blacker, it is the result of less information. Most people ignore me when I write about this.

Noise and distortion are not necessarily mutually inclusive. And blacker background does usually mean a loss of resolution. It's often caused by saturation issues, or adding lots of noise (like antennas, aka kitty litter boxes).

 

[microstrip]

My experience echoed Brian's and Peter's. Now my volume on Lamm pre goes up two - three clicks.

Well, Peter wrote that "The volume control is actually slightly lower", not up. As far as I remember Steve reported a decrease in the usual volume level after he perfected his cables.

Do you have measurements of the typical peak values when you listen to classical?

 

[bazelio]

Well, Peter wrote that "The volume control is actually slightly lower", not up. As far as I remember Steve reported a decrease in the usual volume level after he perfected his cables.

Do you have measurements of the typical peak values when you listen to classical?

How many dB is each click? Whether one person's is up and another's is down is pretty irrelevant without measuring. Peter also made a point of commenting on lower level listening, which isn't a priority for many other people. It sure isn't a priority for me. So this becomes a matter of preference more than anything. Mine is up, I would guess. But that's probably a result of liking how it sounds at higher volume more now than before. Or it could be "new toy" syndrome ... Wanting to really hear what it can do now.

 

[Tango]

Well, Peter wrote that "The volume control is actually slightly lower", not up. As far as I remember Steve reported a decrease in the usual volume level after he perfected his cables.

Do you have measurements of the typical peak values when you listen to classical?

Dear Micro. You should know that I am no measurement person by now. I used to set my Lamm pre which you also have one at 9 o'clock or one click below. Now I enjoy playing louder at 2 clicks above 9 o'clock. If I remember correctly David also said he plays at around 10 o'clock. But as you know this depends on the speaker sensitivity of one's system and also preference on loudness.

In my case, better quality electricity does not give me any more loudness at all. The clean power gives me more clarity and sense of stillness. Somehow when I play louder it springs to life even mors.

 

[microstrip]

Dear Micro. You should know that I am no measurement person by now. I used to set my Lamm pre which you also have one at 9 o'clock or one click below. Now I enjoy playing louder at 2 clicks above 9 o'clock. If I remember correctly David also said he plays at around 10 o'clock. But as you know this depends on the speaker sensitivity of one's system and also preference on loudness.

Dear Tango,

It is why I just asked for simple peak readings of a soundmeter. It is not harder to do then making a mobile phone movie - there are many applications for any type of phone.

 

[Rensselaer]

We are slowly returning my listening room into a more welcoming living room for my family and guests. The latest addition is a mahogany Butler's Tray table in front of the sofa. I am now working on better lighting and looking for two heavy brass pharmacy lamps for each side of the sofa and a task light for the audio rack.

In a room such as mine, where space is limited, the corner horns are proving to be an ideal solution. The system is in the background, but the sound and music are front and center when listening. This is an early example of a "lifestyle" system.

View attachment 80403

View attachment 80404

Hey Peter,

In every video of your system playing music (which sounds totally class by the way), the front and sides are up on the mahogany butler's table. Are we to assume some sort of reflection off upper surface when they are down or just easily tripped over?

 

[PeterA]

Hey Peter,

In every video of your system playing music (which sounds totally class by the way), the front and sides are up on the mahogany butler's table. Are we to assume some sort of reflection off upper surface when they are down or just easily tripped over?

Interesting question, Rensselaer. I have not really tested it. The table is usually off on the side of the sofa used as a side table. When in front of the sofa, I lower the back side to put my feet up. I do adjust the wooden slats on one window blind for tone on occasion.