Let me start off my saying that I love my 950.

One of my input devices is a Motorola DCT-5100 HDTV Cable box. For HD viewing I use the optical out, which is fine. For TiVO input and DMX listening, I use the RCA outs (set to Video 2 / DPL-C and Aux2 / Stereo).

Even with the volume control on the cable box set to max, the listening level is about 20db below any other device I use. In other words, if my normal listening level is -45db (I'm using a stack of carver 250W per channel amps) for any other device, I need to listen to the cable box (via RCA input) at -25db. This is a big inconvience because my wife and kids can't see to get it through their heads to reduce the volume before they change sources!

I'm looking for a product that will boost a line-level input between the cable box and the 950. I've looked at a few mixers, but they only drop the level, not boost it. I'm also handy with a soldering iron and PC board, so I can build a simple OP-AMP circuit if I can find a schematic for one. I'm not worried about the amplified line level signal clipping, because it's sooooo low to begin with.

My other option is to find a reasonable prices way to convert the optical out to a two channel analog signal without sticking another dolby-digital processor in the stack. This seems like a bad solution, but if someone knows of a quick-and-dirty device, I'll consider it.

Any ideas?