2. amps-preamps
  3. 1162773040

Parasound volume level question

Background: I just completed set-up of a Parasound Halo P3 preamp (purchased on eBay) and a Parasound Halo A21 amp (purchased here) with my Thorens TD320 MkII turntable using a Shure VST III cartridge and my Paradigm Reference Studio/40 v.2 speakers. I use BetterCables.com Silver Serpent II balanced XLR between the preamp and amp and their Premium III bi-wire speaker cables.
The question: I am using a volume setting of 60-66 for moderately loud volume levels. I find I need to use the same volume levels when listening through the headphone jack, also. This seems awfully high from what I have read, especially considering the preamp volume runs from 0-80. Is this normal?
128x128mhconley
phd
1,008 posts
 
Headphones are not that much different than speakers. Maybe the headphones you are using are not very efficient, try a different pair.
rickhall
1 posts
 
Sorry to turn this around but how do you like the Shure VST III cartridge? I just got one on Ebay for $16.00 with a broken stylus.
Thank you, Rick Hall.
rg500g
16 posts
 
I own a P3 connected to a PS Audio hca-2, using a Grado Prestige Gold cartridge on a pro-ject Rm6 SB turntable, with B&W matrix 804 speakers employing the B&W bass filter or whatever it's called.

A volume of 66 on the preamp would be painfully loud. I wince when I set my volume control to 60, and I like to listen to Rob Zombie and Rammstein. My listening room is pretty bright acoustically, 14'X18' with fairly low 7' ceiling with acoustic tile that's really not acoustic.

I did find that I had to adjust volume down after employing XLR connections between pre and pwr amps rather than RCAs. Not much, but it was readily discernable.
mhconley's avatar
mhconley OP
31 posts
 
Rick,

I like the VST III very much. Very detailed. It had great reviews when new. Very close to the V15 at a much more reasonable price, at least when your talking $850 total for table, arm and cartridge.

All,

After more time with the system I have found that the best listening levels are achieved in the 40 to 56 range. 56 and above becomes punishing after a while.
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