Why would 2 schiit aegir amps sound the same as 1?


My setup is forte 3s, schiit freya+ preamp and 2 schiit aegir amps.  They accidentally only sent 1 amp last week so I was able to trial my system for a week before my second amp came and I switched the aegir from stereo mode to two monoblocks. Yes my speakers are high sensitivity but I’m surprised I need to turn my volume dial to roughly the same spot on the dial.  I was definitely expecting more going from a 20 watt stereo amp to two 80 watt amps.  Overall I’m happy with the sound but maybe I just don’t need both amps?
varchard

Showing 1 response by mlsstl

The Freya preamp has 12 dB gain available and the Aegir power amp has 22 dB gain available.  Schiit's web site gives no indication that those numbers change when you run in the balanced mode (with 2 Aegirs as monoblocks)  or as a single-ended system (1 Aegir). 

That would indicate that the position of the volume knob would give the same volume output with either setup. So, what you are talking about is having more power available when running the balanced setup. That translates as more headroom (if your listening volume needs more power for peaks) or just a louder possible max volume when running the Aegirs as monoblocks.