actually. LOTR has enormous LFE content. i have to back off quite a bit with certain scenes to equal gladiator or pearl harbor (or, are you saying it's the player or the preamp or the amp?)

Could it be the disc The unworthy asks the LFE experts? Making you wince away from your clip levels. Are you aware that there was a stink about the first LOTR disc released (although your Special E? Is that the 2nd release and I don’t’ know if that was the case with future releases). A reliable source said the disc was layed 10dB hot. And there were various threads around the forums about blown speakers in connection with LOTR.

It is a disc to use with restraint and moderation.