Morning. I have a Lampizator Atlantic Plus Balanced DAC, a Cary SLP-05 pre, an MW KWA-150se, and Aerial Model 9 speakers. Because that setup has too much gain (Lampi 3v output, Cary 12-16db gain, MW 26 db gain, Aerial 90db efficient), I have been using Endler attenuators to tame the gain. They actually improve the sound in certain respects, in particular by lowering the noise floor and eliminating some treble glare. However, they also reduce the dynamics.
In the long-term, I am seriously considering Daedalus Ulysses speakers. I assume that the high efficiency will only exacerbate the gain problem.
A lot of Lampi owners use passive pre-amps. The Tortuga's are especially well regraded. I was wondering whether anyone had tried a passive with the 150se? I would love to know whether passives work well with MW.
One other option may be to have Cary reduce the gain to 0db. I have an email to Cary on that topic. Anyone here reduce gain on pre to address execs gain issue?
Thanks in advance for any input.