PS3 Volume too low?

A search turned up hits for center channel or non-HDMI out results, but nothing I saw pertinent to general volume issues via HDMI.

I have a PS3 running Linear PCM to a Pioneer SC-37 via HDMI out, and the volume is veeeery low. Granted, I'm not running through terribly efficient speakers and am in a relatively large room, but my channel levels are adjusted correctly via MCACC. I'm finding myself having to run very near reference level (about -4 on Blu-Rays, and 0 or better on some DVD's, and the SC-37 isn't exactly lacking in power), just to get a reasonable listening experience.

I get the feeling it's not isolated just to this combination of components, as I used to have to crank down the volume when switching back to my TV cable input with my old setup, which was PS3 to Samsung TV, then optical out from the Samsung to a Denon 3801.

Am I cursed with a sub-par PS3 slim, or is this common among other users?

At +1 or +2 I was ok, anything higher added noticeable distortion.

It's irritating that I have to push things that hard just to get a usable output, especially when games don't seem to suffer the same fate as Mikazaru mentioned.

Really makes me lean towards either a HTPC or a BDP93 for future Blu-Ray watching.

Why would I still have the same issues? I had no problems with two other sources (Wii and cable box).

I can try either way, but was under the impression LPCM was the only way to deliver lossless audio.