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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Macondo’s MiniMe or about Pilot Acoustic Systems

Post Subject: Volume issue with solid state. . .Posted by scooter on: 12/30/2009

I had this "volume" issue with the dozen or so solid state amplifiers I tried in my bedroom system. There was a big jump in volume from click zero to click one. From click 10 to click max there was not much of an increment in volume. Overall, volume increase with my tubed gear was more gradual and what I expected.

Thinking about it now, I suppose this was due to impedance matching between the preamp and amp & the consequences of very inefficient speakers (which is not a linear problem BTW).

Incidentally, I tried that Yamaha B2 in this system. It was enjoyable at reading/background volumes but gave me a headache and sounded "uninspiring" in every way at any higher volumes; it sounded better after running for an hour or so, but still not very good. The B2 ran very cool so this was probably a function of switching out of class A too early and need of some routine maintenance. The built in "preamp" functions and the binding posts were less than stellar,which I think you also noted somewhere. Lots of intellectual horsepower wasted on the meters.

Nonetheless, at low volumes the B2 amp was pleasing so I will get that serviced one day. The "volume" issue you note above was the same with the B2 as it was with all the other solid state stuff I tried.

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