Is 12.5 db of preamp gain too much ?


Recently I changed my interconnect wire from SE to balance.
I found that the music will be too loud if I set the volume more than 2 steps. Even though it's reasonable since I set the voulme to 5-6 step when I used SE connection(6.5db gain).

My system are:
Rega planet CD
Theta DS basic III DAC
Audio research LS-15 Preamp
Krell KSA-150 poweramp
ProAC Studio200 speaker
They are connected by Nordost blue heaven XLR wires.

I'm curious that 12.5db(12.5 db balance; 6.5db SE) is not a big number. How come the result surprise me ?

I remembered that someone complained Audible Illusion M3A has the same problem in their stepped voulme control, but I never see any complains in LS-15.

Any comment ?
Thanks

Ryan




ryan_lu

Showing 1 response by ryan_lu

I checked the SPEC of my Krell and see a 6db more gain between XLR and SE. That means I got a 6.5db + 6db = 12.5db more after I connected XLR wire between preamp and power amp. I would like to see the difference between 2 setup after my balance wire been brake in. It seems my pre/power amp are designed for balance. Hopefully balance is better in my system.

Ryan