Interesting thing about the volume control on the Halo C2

[Kingdaddy]

I noticed that the more you boost any one speaker setting (Center, Rear, Sub ect.) the less total gain you have available at the master volume. If I boost the Center +2db’s then it will take 2db’s away from the total volume. At 0 level on all speakers I can run the volume up to +4db’s on a DTS disc, but when I boost any speaker level +2db’s it cut’s the total volume to +2db max instead of the previous +4, it seems linier, every db I add to any speaker takes away from master volume.

This is great to help prevent overdriving or going much past reference levels, but some material needs some serious rearrangement and the cut in overall volume is a bit of a pain as I cant get to volume levels I’m use to. I have an enormous amount of head room and seemingly indestructible speakers that can take a pounding, in fact they don’t start sound really good until I push them, and now I can’t. I have never owned a piece of equipment that would not let me blow it up if I wanted to, I’m not sure I like that.

[ralniv]

I don't think this is a problem with the pre-amp per se. I have seen this very same behavior in receivers in the past. It sounds like you don't have enough amplifier for your speakers and your personal listening tastes. Borrow a Parasound A51 (250w x 5) or A21 (250w x 2) and you will have plenty of reserves to drive the most demanding speakers.

Bear in mind that I'm a newbie with audio stuff, so take my comments with a grain of salt. :wink:

[Kingdaddy]

Well as I said it's not a real problem per-say, I too believe that this is the way it should work, however I don’t think the amplifiers power output is a problem, more likely the input gain to the amps is not enough. My old Sony would play to the point of severely clipping my speakers if I pushed it, the Parasound Halo won't.

You ever get the feeling there is only few members on this forum that browse daily, the rest seem only to drop in once a week or so, I think I hear an echo.

[Aussie Geoff]

Kingdaddy,

I haven't got a Halo, but what you could be seeing is not a limit in the amplifier, but the processor ensuring that you don't play louder than reference level, but adjusting down the maximum volume to stop at reference. If this is the case, one common work-around for this on other processors is to recalibrate with the -30 dB test tones for reference at higher than 75 Db. IE You play test tones that should be having the master volume on a setting that gives 75 dB on your SPL meter, but you set it on a higher master volume (using the knob) of 80 dB. Essentially the amp will then play 5 dB louder (assuming it has the headroom). Equally if (using the same test tones) you adjust the master volume to 85 dB then you've got 10 dB more head room.

Geoff

[Jariten]

It also depends on what gain levels your C2 was calibated.
For instance, on the HCA2205A amp you can adjust the input level of each channels.
When you then use the Autocal feature for your system, each speaker will be calibrated (gain and distance).
Now if the gain was 0dB for all the speakers , I think the Halo would allow you to go up to +20dB (not sure about that...)

I have currently set the amp at about 50% input attenuation.(something I discussed a while ago with the people who designed the AVC-2500 engine..should no apply with the HALO C1/C2...but it's like that for now...)

Anyway...so my 3 front speakers (L/C/R) have a level of +13dB
surrouds...don't remember...
Now if I simply turn up the volume knob...I can "only" go to +9dB (-90 -> 9dB)
so your C2 is working perfectly well..

look at Aussie Geoff's post..
^_^lll

:B

[Chris D]

Wow... if you're really going above 0db at all, much less maxing out the Parasound volume, I'm very impressed. With my theater, the sound really gets uncomfortably loud as I APPROACH 0db on my C1, much less go beyond it. And that's way after my wife has stormed into the room, told me how upset and offended she is that I'm listening to something so loud, and stomped back out.

[Kingdaddy]

Well, to be fair I think my Sony Amps have a different input gain sensitivity then the Halo amps, so I’m not sure we are comparing Apples to Apples, however one of the things I like most about the Halo C2 is how clean the signal is. I can in fact turn up the volume far more then before without any discomfort that is until a loud portion kicks in, the dynamics on the C2 are incredible.