Accuphase amplifier choice

Very cool @jfrmusic . Yes, I do find that the volume sometimes drops according to the source. But lowest gain setting works in my system too. Though Spotify is not bit-perfect, it is lossless and I did find some songs for which I need to raise the volume on my preamp a bit, to match the SACD/HDCD levels. But that is good - because it tells me that there is a very nice DR on that song/album.

How much time did it take in your case, for your amplifier to sound it's best? I think you have had your amp for more than a year now.

@mclinnguy 

Yes, but I am currently more excited with my 2a3 amp. It brings a smile to my face when my walls are shaking from 2 watts, like a squad of F-16’s just flew over my roof. There are watts, and then there are watts. After knowing what my 4wpc amp can do 30 watts sounds huge!

I hope you realize that the specs are different for your loudspeakers Vs mine.

Is this something you have observed, or just going off of historical potentiometer-bearing pre amp religion? 

From my experience with the Rhumba (since Jan 2018), the volume between 7:30  to 10 o'clock positions sound very much "in your face". But once you cross 10 o'clock position, it sound a bit relaxed and natural. Andy did mention to me about the volume position too. But my experience has not been the same - at least in my system. YMMV.

I hope you realize that the specs are different for your loudspeakers Vs mine.

yes, of course. I do have a set of Maggies which require a little more oomph also.

From my experience with the Rhumba (since Jan 2018), the volume between 7:30  to 10 o'clock positions sound very much "in your face". But once you cross 10 o'clock position, it sound a bit relaxed and natural. Andy did mention to me about the volume position too. But my experience has not been the same - at least in my system. YMMV.

Okay interesting. I will do some experimenting. 

@milpai 

Not sure I could tell exactly how long for the Amp to open up but I’d estimate about 300 hours. There was this point where I noticed everything was slightly more open and smoother. I also found that after many attempts borrowing power cables from the Cable Company I never found anything that sounded better than the stock cable supplied by Accuphase. And Accuphase documentation strongly discourages replacing the stock cable. 

@jfrmusic 

Interesting experience about your power cord swapping. I am not using stock cord at the moment and switched the Cullen from the previous amplifier. But you are right - I did read the "specially highlighted" section in the Accuphase guide on power cords.