Electrocompaniet AW-250r Gain

maxzimum · 3rd January 2009, 11:02 AM

Hi,
Is there a way to reduce the overall gain in the Electrocompaniet AW-250r Power Amp? Internal jumper or something?

My preamp is the ARC Ref3 which has no gain control and on most CD's the system plays to loud even at Volume 1.

Thanks.

analog_sa · 3rd January 2009, 11:27 AM

Reducing the gain of the AW 250 is not going to be a straightforward or even sensible exercise. The correct place to do this is at the input of the pre or at DAC output.

It's interesting that you have such a high gain. Would you care listing your full system including speakers?

maxzimum · 3rd January 2009, 11:44 AM

Hi,
Cary SACD 306 Pro
Arc Ref3 Pre
AW-250r Power Amp
Rockport Mira Speakers

analog_sa · 3rd January 2009, 01:40 PM

At least your speakers are not too sensitive

All other components seem to contribute to excessive gain, especially in balanced mode. The Cary is probably the worst offender. It is an obviously bad idea to feed its output into a box with additional gain.

What i would do is modify one of the REF3 AUX inputs with a fixed resistor divider. Not sure about the exact additional attenuation but something in the order of 3:1 or 5:1 seems appropriate to get the ARC attenuators into a more usable range. A series resistor of something like 68-100k and a 20k-40k shunt to ground. Once the optimum values have been established i would get two pairs of nice nude Vishays and solder them between the input jacks and the relay board. If you are reluctant to solder inside the ARC you can probably modify a pair of interconnects with the divider inside the XLRs.

maxzimum · 4th January 2009, 04:45 PM

Thanks. Will try that.

analog_sa · 4th January 2009, 05:23 PM

If you decide to get a bit more adventurous it won't be difficult to convert the ARC to just a cathode follower. It shouldn't take more than removing two tubes, lifting one side of a resistor and putting a link inside a tube socket. All entirely reversible and safe. Sound should gain a bit in transparency.

maxzimum · 4th January 2009, 08:05 PM

Don't think I'm THAT adventurous!

3rd January 2009, 11:02 AM	#1
maxzimum diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India	Electrocompaniet AW-250r Gain Hi, Is there a way to reduce the overall gain in the Electrocompaniet AW-250r Power Amp? Internal jumper or something? My preamp is the ARC Ref3 which has no gain control and on most CD's the system plays to loud even at Volume 1. Thanks.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Solen SUB-250R bass boost	Jonnyc	Solid State	2	4th December 2011 05:26 AM
Electrocompaniet Help	Andypairo	Solid State	66	9th July 2008 11:13 AM
Electrocompaniet AW-250r problem. help please	maxzimum	Solid State	13	2nd May 2008 12:38 PM
Heretical Unity Gain line stage PLUS a little gain ?	yagas	Tubes / Valves	7	24th January 2006 02:30 PM
Hello from an Electrocompaniet Fan	PrimeCase	Introductions	9	21st May 2002 05:02 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

3rd January 2009, 11:27 AM	#2
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sofia	Reducing the gain of the AW 250 is not going to be a straightforward or even sensible exercise. The correct place to do this is at the input of the pre or at DAC output. It's interesting that you have such a high gain. Would you care listing your full system including speakers?

3rd January 2009, 11:44 AM	#3
maxzimum diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India	Hi, Cary SACD 306 Pro Arc Ref3 Pre AW-250r Power Amp Rockport Mira Speakers

3rd January 2009, 01:40 PM	#4
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sofia	At least your speakers are not too sensitive All other components seem to contribute to excessive gain, especially in balanced mode. The Cary is probably the worst offender. It is an obviously bad idea to feed its output into a box with additional gain. What i would do is modify one of the REF3 AUX inputs with a fixed resistor divider. Not sure about the exact additional attenuation but something in the order of 3:1 or 5:1 seems appropriate to get the ARC attenuators into a more usable range. A series resistor of something like 68-100k and a 20k-40k shunt to ground. Once the optimum values have been established i would get two pairs of nice nude Vishays and solder them between the input jacks and the relay board. If you are reluctant to solder inside the ARC you can probably modify a pair of interconnects with the divider inside the XLRs.

4th January 2009, 04:45 PM	#5
maxzimum diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India	Thanks. Will try that.

4th January 2009, 05:23 PM	#6
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sofia	If you decide to get a bit more adventurous it won't be difficult to convert the ARC to just a cathode follower. It shouldn't take more than removing two tubes, lifting one side of a resistor and putting a link inside a tube socket. All entirely reversible and safe. Sound should gain a bit in transparency.

4th January 2009, 08:05 PM	#7
maxzimum diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India	Don't think I'm THAT adventurous!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)