All Spectre music players implement the ITU-R BS.1770 loudness normalisation algorithm in order to deliver a smooth, consistent musical experience, without sudden random jumps or dives in perceived loudness. This is the industry-wide gold standard for loudness measurement and normalisation. It is implemented by Apple, Spotify, Tidal, Netflix, Sony, and countless TV and radio broadcasters.
This algorithm implies a tradeoff: the overall loudness of all tracks is reduced. In other words, the more rigorous the normalisation, the quieter the music. Better loudness consistency = less volume overall.
This reduced volume is usually compensated by 2 factors:
High-powered analog line out on the player:
The Spectre Pulse player offers a very high +8dBu
Apple-manufactured mobile devices usually do fairly well with outputs in the +2 to 4dbU range
Android devices are a mixed bag, and can sometimes deliver abysmal output levels (e.g. -10dBu on a Xiaomi Redmi Note 11)
Professional-grade audio appliances (i.e. processors and amplifiers) typically offer enough input and output gain headroom
What you can do
Thoroughly check your sound system to make sure all gains/limiters/volume settings are properly set. The vast majority of professional-grade appliances are powerful enough to accommodate loudness normalisation
If using an Android mobile device, consider replacing it w/ an Apple device, or another Android device with a more powerful analog output.
As a last resort:
Ask Spectre technical support to raise volume above 100%. This is dangerous and can introduce clipping which will generate audible audio artefacts.
Add a preamplifier to your audio system