Even the 975 has line out

Yes, but the 975 won't let you use the record out to record digital inputs. The Outlaws must have decided that the record out function was something that had to be let go in the digital age. That way they can avoid HDCP and the level control programming needed.

What is it you want/need to feed with a line out option?

Record out - so I can digitize vinyl

I plan to use the balanced outputs for all channels except LFE. That brings up a 5/7.X question: if all speakers were set to Large (PLEASE don’t ask why) what info would be sent to the Sub out (or) what is LFE info specifically?

Also I replied on pages 5&6 about 975/976 output or “drive as I like to call it. Unfortunately I have yet to receive* an explanation why my Rotel or previous processors “were LOUDER” [b]before[/b] max volume than the 975 AT max volume. And believe me, I have 10-20X power “on tap” today than my pre-975 days.
* I called CS about this. Their answer amounted to a difference in the “type” of VC. That STILL didn’t explain why the 975 didn’t “crank” the same.

Thnx, Tony

Check out this article from Dolby, which explains what an LFE track is. The subwoofer will reproduce LFE track audio and any other channel audio below the crossover points set. If speakers are set to large, that will send full range audio to those speakers, and with the crossover deactivated, no other channel audio will be steered to the sub(s). If all speakers were set to large, they would all be receiving full range and no signal would be steered from the other channels. All you would get is the LFE track audio reproduced by the sub.

https://www.dolby.com/uploadedFiles/Assets/US/Doc/Professional/38_LFE.pdf

What confuses most people is, how soon the loudness or gain an absolute volume circuit reaches reference levels, from the minimum or silent position, compared with a relative volume circuit, that will reach reference levels and possibly an additional 20dB of gain, max.
Which means, if the maximum range is 0dB on the control, reference level would be -20dB on the scale.
Sound and Vision has a fairly good explanation...

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/%E2%80%98relative%E2%80%99-vs-%E2%80%98absolute%E2%80%99-volume-what%E2%80%99s-difference

Thanks!! Now I get it!S&V has a very good explaination. Pity it took a Saloon member to explain: a relative “V” control has up to 20dB of add’l gain. Also thanks for the comprehensive LFE answer.

BTW I knew of issues setting any channel to Large: my LR and each surrounds each has a dedicated sub*. At the moment, my System sub handles the CC’s heavy lifting and all important LFE.
* small but acurate, robust, low distortion to 27hz, and high WAF!

Now to any one: are the balanced outputs hotter than the unbalanced?

The dial position, ie -20dB for reference level, is arbitrary. It depends on your power amps gain, speaker sensitivity, listening distance, room size, etc.

In my setup, my 976 reference level is at -10dB on the volume dial because I set my amps gain lower.

For a given power supply, a balanced output have the potential to produce 6dB higher maximum level, because of the differential nature of the balanced system. However, their actual gain may be set by the manufacturer to produce the same nominal level than the unbalanced outputs at a given volume position. Or not!

Tony, I had spoken to you about this. We also discussed the difference in input gain vs output voltage and how a relative volume control works compared to an absolute control...

Yes, the XLR outputs have more output voltage than the RCA pre-outs.

I read this. Doesn’t sound as transparent as the 975 - a feature I LOVED! My 976 is past due.