AudiogoN Forums: volume vs presence

volume vs presence

My amp is a bel canto s300 with a Dac3 on pmc tb2+ monitor speakers. I love this combination and find that it can be so deadly silky smooth that I am constantly turning up the volume probably to ear damaging levels as my ears are usually ringing after a session. But it doesn't sound loud at the time. This can't be good for my hearing.

I find I am turning up the volume of my system not to make it louder but to gain more presence and percussive attack. How do I listen at lower volumes without losing that presence? Do i need a bigger amp that provides more drive at lower levels. Do I need a good preamp? Do I need bigger speakers?

I am not sure but know people before me may have gone through all of this and would appreciate your advice. Thanks heaps,

Jaffa_777 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

07-13-09

Responses (1-31 of 31)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

07-13-09 You're right, it can't be good for your hearing. my advice w ... Beavis

07-13-09 I agree with (jaffa's) idea that he is looking for a better ... Elizabeth

07-13-09 I agree with elizabeth but instead of recommending the amp c ... Uru975

07-13-09 I would say that yes, what you desire is much bigger speaker ... Mulveling

07-13-09 There's a lot going on here, and more than can be covered in ... Ojgalli

07-13-09 All good and valid input here already. there was a recent t ... Jax2

07-13-09 Jaffa, don't worry about your ears (provided you don't exc ... Shadorne

07-13-09 Check your hearing here Shadorne

07-13-09 I think you may not have a problem at all. i find different ... Hevac1

07-13-09 Try adding a good powered sub. Mapman

07-13-09 I know exactly what you're talking about.., to feel involved ... Richlane

07-13-09 Jaffa777, i forgot to ask you.., how large is your room? r ... Richlane

07-13-09 Wow, just got up and so many post already. my room is abo ... Jaffa_777

07-13-09 Shadorne, thanks for the link. i am required to have my hea ... Abucktwoeighty

07-14-09 Hi jaffa, that is a decent size room that you have. i woul ... Richlane

07-14-09 The better apparoach to realizing the punch & dynamics you d ... Bob_bundus

07-14-09 I just bought an analogue sound meter today. it looks like ... Jaffa_777

07-14-09 I too would also say a change is in order. speakers make th ... Blindjim

07-14-09 "to gain more presence and percussive attack." i t ... Cdc

07-14-09 no, not really. that is relative though...my wife thinks i ... Jax2

07-14-09 You know..., i thought that we had two different questions h ... Richlane

07-14-09 If you purchase a sterophile test disc, you already have the ... Samhar

07-15-09: Jaffa_777
I think I am going to wait and save up for my next system which will match the new listening room I will be looking for when I purchase/rent my next house.

Going along with Jax's post, I have just been doing a lot of reading up on acoustics and rooms for listening, and it seems that its the most important thing before you start buying components. I read that spending money on getting your room acoustically set up yields far greater results than focusing on gear alone. And when you have the room set up right, the components are able to realise their full listening potential. Which makes sense, because my system have sounded different in the couple of houses I have used them in.

I am reluctant for obvious reasons to go out and spend huge amounts of money on cables. I can't really see for the value for money in exotic cables sorry. Can you really hear that much difference for the money spent?

Hey Rich, I was thinking about what I was missing, and its the intial attack of the front, upwards curve of the sound. I can hear the guitar being played, but I want to feel the pluck on the string before the note sounds. The twang and percussive effect of the double bass player digging into a string.

Just want to thank everyone for their detailed responses too.
Jaffa_777 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

07-15-09 what you describe sounds normal - you hear best (most sensi ... Shadorne

07-15-09 Jaffa: did you set your spl meter to "fast?" if so ... Ojgalli

07-15-09 jaffa_777 i am reluctant for obvious reasons to go out a ... Blindjim

07-15-09 Blindjim, thanks for your open, detailed and frank response. ... Jaffa_777

07-15-09 I second ojgalli's excellent posts - the only way 85 db spl ... Shadorne

07-15-09 Jaffa_777 then we are more alike than different. i was a ... Blindjim

07-15-09 "hey rich, i was thinking about what i was missing, and ... Richlane

07-16-09 Thanks rich, thats great, and funny mate! i had better go a ... Jaffa_777