Volume Too Loud

[admin_exported]

Hi. I have a new amp (Marantz PM7003) which I find very musical after connecting it to the pre-out of my av receiver. However, I find it too loud even at very low volume. I just press the volume on the remote control 3x and the soundstage becomes very ostentatious and it's not even on the 25% mark. Is this normal? My Onkyo 806 receiver is not this loud even if it has more wattage. Any thoughts? Cheers

 

[RCduck7]

Not sure if it's normal but it seems the match make your volume very sensitive. I can get my amp's volume only 35-40% maximum up but it takes a bit more then pushing the volume knob on the remote control only 3 times. If you finaly know if the match isn't forming a (technical) problem you might consider adding a pair of attenuators between the pre and power section.

Like these... http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/attenuators.html

They will lower the volume to -10db, i have them to and it helps, they also make the sound slightly warmer, a bit less bright. I believe Russ Andrews make these to but they are more expensive.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info RCduck7. Will give it a try. I'm just wondering if this is a common issue on two channel amplifiers.

 

[Andrew Everard]

It's a matter of gain, and you really don't need attenuators. Just turn down the front L/R level in the Onkyo's menu, and you'll then be able to turn the Marantz up more for the same level.

 

[John Duncan]

Hang on though - if you're listening to it with music, presumably you have the player plugged directly into the Marantz...? If you have the CD player plugged into the Onk (and therefore subject to the gain settings Andrew mentions) then you're doing it wrong...

 

[Anonymous]

JohnDuncan:Hang on though - if you're listening to it with music, presumably you have the player plugged directly into the Marantz...? If you have the CD player plugged into the Onk (and therefore subject to the gain settings Andrew mentions) then you're doing it wrong...

Hi. My cd player is connected to the marantz. thanks.

 

[Andrew Everard]

In which case some attenuators between the CD player and the amp may be of benefit.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:It's a matter of gain, and you really don't need attenuators. Just turn down the front L/R level in the Onkyo's menu, and you'll then be able to turn the Marantz up more for the same level.

Thanks Andrew. I noticed this gain even though the amp is not yet connected to the av receiver's pre-out.

 

[smuggs]

sorry for jumping on your thread a little but on my arcam alpha9 the volume starts at 7o'clock and i just spin it a touch say 9 and its about right and if im showing of to mates i might go up to 10o'clock but i have now after this thread been reading that the arcam alpha range i think it was mid 90's needed alot of currant through it to get better results so would this help me. I was having thoughts that my Br5's were just a little to easy to run for the amp. Sorry again for jumping on the thread