Question on Purifi 1ET400A gain setting

[liviurosioara]

Hi,

I set up my new system with Purifi 1ET400A (Apollon) with Eversolo DMP-A8. I am using XLR connectors so that would mean 4.2 Volts output from A8, and I set the gain setting on 20db on the Apollon amp. However, to get some decent volume I need to increase the volume significantly to around -20 to -30 db.

The next gain setting at 27db is fine, however I am still not able to figure out why the 20db setting won't do the job. Is there something that I might be missing? Is it possible that I am getting only half the voltage on XLR cables instead of the full?

Many thanks!

 

[MaxwellsEq]

However, to get some decent volume I need to increase the volume significantly to around -20 to -30 db.

Why is this a problem? It sounds OK to me.

 

[liviurosioara]

I would say it's not a problem, just that I have to crank up the volume more than I got used with my previous amp.

So, is it correct that 20db gain is the right setting for XLR balanced at 4.2V?

 

[pogo]

I have to crank up the volume more than I got used with my previous amp.

You have to get away from the old amplifier thinking, see also here a purifi implementation: Link

 

[MaxwellsEq]

So, is it correct that 20db gain is the right setting for XLR balanced at 4.2V?

Probably. It depends on speaker sensitivity, of course. I had to set my Purifi at 13dB gain to handle the output from my ADI2 PRO (i.e. maximise SNR).

 

[JohnnyNG]

I would say it's not a problem, just that I have to crank up the volume more than I got used with my previous amp.

What was the gain of your previous amp?

 

[liviurosioara]

Previously I was using a NAD C399 with Eversolo connected via analog in, with the default settings (0db gain). The "regular" room volume was around -45 to -40db.

With the Purifi + Eversolo connected via XLR and gain switch set at 20db I have to increase the Eversolo's volume towards -30 to -25db. But I get that volume settings aren't comparable between different amps.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

But I get that volume settings aren't comparable between different amps.

Correct!

This comes up on ASR time after time. Please see my explanation here (which talks about volume control positions, but is the same issue you are struggling with):

Denon x3600 w/ Aragon 4004 amp

The addition of the air gun 4004 really pumped up the infinity kappa 8's.. But, I am having to go to 75+ on volume to achieve the big sound, surprisingly... CCould it be the impedance setting on Denon AVR? I've read where you always leave it at 8 ohms impedance no matter what.. Thoughts ...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[bricesan]

I would say it's not a problem, just that I have to crank up the volume more than I got used with my previous amp.

So, is it correct that 20db gain is the right setting for XLR balanced at 4.2V?

crank up the volume of your output as you need, it's not a problem. i would even say it is better for signal to noise ratio. specially if it's a digital output.
i do the same with my purifi (audiophonics) buffer bypass. it needs a lot of volt from the dac but it's how you can achieve more transparency.