Charlie:

I seem to be creating more confusion than it's worth I was only saying that I find it preferrable to drive a source component a bit harder, and therefore have more output coming from the outputs of the 950 and level match at the power amp. This comes from personal experience that most op-amps sound better when passing a higher signal level than less, relatively speaking. The hiss would be the same, regardless - it doesn't matter really where the gain is comensated for. In my situation, I have a standard line level for digital full scale for CDs of +15dbu, or about 4.5 volts going to the crossovers, and match the levels at the power amps.

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited January 06, 2003).]