[lawgibbs]

I am a little disappointed in my ability to turn up the volume on my new EF-5 amp into my Hifiman HE-500s.  The normal listening level is great and the amp provides a beautiful sound, but on some music I just want to turn it up.  I am running the output from my 3801 VCR output RCA jack into the headphone amp but the RCA won't transmit the cd digital music and the phones lack an ability hooked this way to crank up the volume a little more.  Maybe I just bought the wrong amp for my listening habits.  Help is appreciated. 

 

[Mad Max]

You have it right, I think.  The VCR out isn't affected by the receiver's volume control, right?  If so, then you are simply hearing how different albums were mastered at different overall volume levels.  It is normal.  Sometimes some albums may have a little less clarity, which can give you the urge to turn it up.