I have to admit I'm stumped on this one. I would suggest doing the series connected preamp/amp setup I outlined in this thread, where the left and right outputs of the 950 feed an aux input on the HK preamp, then on to the power amps and speakers, and the CD, to another aux input on the HK directly. The inputs could easily be switched back and forth _using the HK and original power amp_ in the loop, to see if the 950 adds/subtracts anything in the CDs playback. The volume difference between the 950 and the direct CD could be equalized by the 950's volume control. I would bet there would be no, or little difference, but the experiment should be done, as so much digital ink has been spilled in this thread on the subject. If I lived closer, my own curiosity would make me want to hear Jim's system to sort things out.