I whacked up the volume of my Audio Research LS3 preamp that feeds my CI D200's just to see how loud it would go. I heard what I thought "could" be the sound of clipping so I backed off the volume, I don't hear this at normal listening levels and wondered if it was because my Spendor S5e loudspeakers are a mismatch or theres too much output gain (18 db) from my Audio Research LS3 preamp. Can too much output gain make a similar sound like clipping. Specs below. Thanks for your thoughts.
Audio Research LS3 preamp.
Frequency response ±.5 dB, 2.0 Hz to 100 kHz. -3dB points below 1 Hz and above 200 kHz
Noise & hum 18 µV RMS maximum IHF weighted noise at main output with gain control minimum (more than 100 dB below 2V RMS output.
Gain Main output: 18 dB (optional 10 dB gain reduction)
Input impedance 50 kOhms (100 kOhms Direct)
Output impedance 250 Ohms main output.
Maximum inputs 20V maximum
Rated outputs 2V RMS 2 Hz to 100 kHz, all outputs, 60 kOhm load (maximum output 35V RMS at 1/2% THD at 1 kHz into 100 kOhms)
Spendor S5e loudspeakers.
Frequency response 52Hz-20kHz ± 3dB on reference axis
Frequency range -6dB at 40Hz
Sensitivity for 1W @ 1m 87dB (a review by Dave Berriman found it to measure 82.5db @ a sensertvity of 2.83V)
Impedance nominal 8 ohms - minimum 4.4 ohms
Power handling 15 - 200 watts into 8 ohms unclipped
Harmonic distortion <1% 100Hz – 20kHz 90 dB @ 1m