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My amp is too loud??

I really, really doubt there is a technical fault.

Poor volume resolution is not uncommon on vintage gear used with higher output sources. There are quite a few theads about people asking advice on attenuation for this very reason. It's compounded by sensitive speakers.

I guess if the OP wants to justify lower sensitivity speaker...well, his call, LOL.

But, attenuation is the more practical solution here. With something like the Schitt Sys one can dial up any usable range of the volume control they want; speaker sensitivity becomes immaterial to the problem.
 
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But the OP stated he has the same issue with Phono input.

As I said before, I had a similar problem with my Sansui 9090. I ended up using an EQ to adjust it to better levels, but I was never happy with how that impacted the sq. It ended up pushing me to separates with no EQ in the line.
 
eiraved said:
I would consider this as well. I'm sorry, but I'm not into creating another signal path via attenuator when a speaker better suited for the G-4500 would do the trick.
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Sorry, but changing speakers for simply reducing signal level from the source is absurd.
 
eiraved said:
Even if the speaker purchase is the same as the attenuator cost? I'm sorry, that logic doesn't fly...
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It's just absurd. The variable attenuator facilitates what is effectively universal level control irrespective of source output level or speaker sensitivity.
 
I've discovered that if you don't have synergy, or whatever you want to call it when the components mesh together to give magic, you will never have a chance of hearing it at its best. I went through a whole slew of speakers and amps until I found that magic. There are lots of gear to choose from, but you first need to know what you like, and then you need an indicator of what will get you there. It took me 2 years to find that, and quite a bit of money. I've since gotten that money back, but honestly, it was driving me crazy! I've met two other people in the last few years who have hearing like mine. Both were clients, and I worked hard with them to find an alternative, but it led to the same conclusion as mine. Big power amps with 4 ohm speakers. It just seemed to be the only answer for us.
 
whoaru99 said:
It's just absurd. The variable attenuator facilitates what is effectively universal level control irrespective of source output level or speaker sensitivity.
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Quote all the big words you'd like, the bottom line is the cost. If the OP finds it easier and cheaper to purchase another set of speakers better suited to the G-4500, then so be it. If purchasing a variable attenuator is easer and cheaper, then purchase it. Hopefully the OP lives near an AK member who has several speakers to lend so he can see which ones sound better with his receiver.

I've owned and restored several Sansui receivers. I've never had the issues the OP has, but I do know I cannot raise the volume anywhere near 12:00 position without it being too loud. Note, I didn't say it was un-listenable, as the sound was still very clear on the speakers I used. The synergy between my speakers and the Sansui receiver were excellent, so no attenuator was required.
 
So much to reply to...

Lots of great ideas. I do want to be able to move this unit, so fixing the issue instead of working around it was my goal. The Sansui speakers are not great, for sure, but connected to other - similar - systems I don't have the same problem. I would like to restate the issue in another term that may funnel this down a bit. I'm looking for more dynamic range from the volume knob.

I need to pop the lid again and set the bias; could this be a source of the issue? If it needs to sit ~30 mV and is actually at, say, ~55mV would it 'come out of the gates too fast?'

I'm also curious what things I should look for or test concerning my pre-amp and driver board.

I don't believe the pot has been switched out. Could it be/have gone faulty? Would/could replacing the pot help the issue of dynamic range (providing all pre-amp, driver boards, bias, etc. are all working correctly)?

For the time being I've got plenty of speakers, receivers, and the like - if you don't believe me ask my fiancé.

This group is amazing, thanks for all the help.
 
BobEDigital said:
I need to pop the lid again and set the bias; could this be a source of the issue? If it needs to sit ~30 mV and is actually at, say, ~55mV would it 'come out of the gates too fast?'

I'm also curious what things I should look for or test concerning my pre-amp and driver board.

I don't believe the pot has been switched out. Could it be/have gone faulty? Would/could replacing the pot help the issue of dynamic range (providing all pre-amp, driver boards, bias, etc. are all working correctly)?

For the time being I've got plenty of speakers, receivers, and the like - if you don't believe me ask my fiancé.

This group is amazing, thanks for all the help.
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Generally speaking, things don't break to a condition of higher output.

Don't make three left turns on this. It's a really easy solution.
 
So, some of us must remember the good ole' rock n' roll days? That gear was probably designed to play at that level, when brick and mortar facilitated your final decision. Very commercial run of the mill gear desperate to be bought.
 
I've used the aforementioned Sansui's as well as SP-7000's. Also, Sony SS-F7000's and Sony SSCS5's - JBL 2050's - Klipsch FS1's - Pioneer G503c's. No increble speakers, but certainly a large enough cross section to determine I don't like what's going on. Maybe that's just what's going on here. It's said countless times on these boards that sound is something you like or don't like. Perhaps I just don't like this receiver much. I really like my 7070, so I am just caught off guard by such a different product from a similar time frame.
 
Oh, other receivers I've side by sided with:
Sansui 7070
Pioneer Sx-626
Onkyo TX-2500

And a couple others that have come through for tune ups.
 
musichal said:
Ding-ding-ding, we have a winnah!

I do want to ask the diyers, though, is it at all practical to replace the log volume control pot with a linear?
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not a good idea . i mistakenly did that once .it will go from loud to very loud pretty quickly .
 
BobEDigital said:
I Perhaps I just don't like this receiver much.
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Keep the context here before moving the goal posts. Do you not like the sound of the receiver, or do you not like the sensitivity of the volume control? They are not mutually inclusive.

If you don't like the sound of the receiver (or you don't like the sound of the speakers), by all means change them. But don't be distracted from a simple fix like input attenuation if the sensitivity of the volume control is your only real complaint in this picture.
 
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