Luxman SQ-N150 Integrated Tube Amplifier

It’s not unusual for a fixed gain phono input to require an extra few degrees towards 12:00 on the volume control, perhaps 10:00 or 11:00 compared to the high-level line in inputs.

I’ve used this integrated with a Planar 8, Apheta 3 (.35mV MC) combo with Klipsch Heresy IVs and easily produced room filling volume with undistorted dynamic peaks.

A good DAC will give you the ability to trim it’s output somewhat to bring it in line with lower-level sources. You also have to consider the digital source you’re using. I have CDs that almost match the level of most vinyl records and those where the content that is so loud and compressed that the volume setting is half that of a properly mastered one.

The lack of gain on the Luxman's phono stage prevents the proper air, tone, richness and subtleties from coming out of the phono stage without proper gain. The volume alone just isn't giving it enough oooomph to bring out the soundstage. It sound dull and weak. For example, when we play the line-in using digital sources, the volume only needs to be about 12 o'clock to fill the room, while the phone requires 3 o'clock or more and it already sounds out of steam. All we mostly play is jazz at moderate volumes, nothing too loud. I'm not at all talking about head banging levels here. It really seems like Luxman put little to no R&D into their phono stage. Other than this, it's a beautiful, sweet sounding integrated tube amp and I absolutely love it, but it amazes me how lacking the phono preamp is. 

Thanks for the input regardless guys.