With my Maggie 1.6s in a room with just-under-8-foot ceilings, driven by an Adcom GFA535 (100w into 4 ohms), I listen to FM or CDs at, typically, between -15db and -10db (or lower if my wife's home), but have to go up to from -10 to 0 settings for phono and/or cassette tape inputs, and for TV from HD channels via our SA cable box it's from -5 to even +1. I assumed all this was just the result of sources with different output levels feeding a unit with no input level controls. As for going into the positive-db range on the 990 volume control - not in my listening environment, thankyouverymuch. Also I'm not that keen on damaging speakers that would cost about $1800 to replace at today's prices. So I find this discussion of +8 and +15 puzzling.