Whew!

Corker of a title don't you think? This one has been bothering me for a while. Firstly, thinking back to the 518 and the Gain facility, the rationale from Bob Stuart in the manual is to ensure that the DAC received full code value for best sound quality. This was readily obvious with any old Redbook CD recorded at an insuffiecient level. Increase the gain in the digital domain, the DAC gets utilised better, and hugely increased sound quality.

Why then, do we calibrate speakers to THX recommended levels, ie 75dB at volume 87, when this can frequently mean lowering the volume of the DSP speakers all round to achieve it? If each of one's speakers ends up permanently calibrated at -4.5 to -7.0dB (respectively), surely the DACs get less than optimum signal? This would appear to contradict Bob Stuart's earlier rationale? I do appreciate the need to calibrate the speakers, but why not just have as many of them at 0dB cut, and a reduced level of cut for those which needed reigned back further?

To illustrate the point, THX level calibration (with 6ks, a 5kc and a REL sub) gives me:

L -4.5dB
C -7.0dB
R -4.5dB
Sub -6dB

...but why not just calibrate at:

L 0dB
C -2.5dB
R 0dB
Sub -1.5dB

...and get better signal through to the DACs? I have tried both ways, and to my mind, the latter is better...the sound is more alive, despite subsequent final volume matching. Can anyone explain to me what I am missing here?

Thanks!

George

[This message has been edited by Mr Meridian (edited 08-03-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Mr Meridian (edited 08-03-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Mr Meridian (edited 08-03-2004).]