Thanks...I'll try playing both (CD/DVD)in the same machine to check that out. The reason I asked about the bias adjustment was that I figured that distortion would increase as you near the top edge of output. The 950 I think tops out at +10. Most amps (and I thought preamps too) really start to distort at their limits. Does these replies suggest that preamps are linear all the way to the top of their rated output?

I see the same thing on a Sony TA-E9000ES.

-50 dB for music CDs (maybe 10 o'clock on the volume dial), and -30 or so for DVDs (maybe 11:30). (I have medium sensitivity speakers.) One issue might be the noise floor of a unit, if it's a function of the volume knob setting. (On the Sony, never noticed that. I wouldn't think it would be a big deal on the Outlaw either.)

Another issue might be low sensitivity speakers combined with underpowered amps. Maybe then you'd see a difference between CDs and DVDs. Distortion and such, or just an inability to play a movie soundtrack as loud as you wanted.

Thanks for the replies. I guess there is a difference between DVD and CD in output level. My speakers are not overly efficient (Monitor Audio) but I'm not that underpowered (B&K 140/ch X 6).Even doubling the power would only get me 3 more db, and the difference between CD and DVD appears to be about 20 db. I guess I'll just have to crank it!

Is the sound level from the CD player the same on the 950, when you switch between analog and digital interconnects? Likewise, is the sound level from the DVD player the same on the 950 when you switch between analog and digital interconnects, when playing a CD?

More info. I played a CD in thr DVD player. Used the digital coax connection. In stereo mode( or bypass) it's a lot (20 db) louder than when decoded in prologic, or any of the surround formats. Why should this be true?