Thanks Erno, I read the entire interesting piece, and it all makes perfect sense, but it still does not address the points @James made in this thread. There is no reason to be hearing different sound stage, depth, etc., as described by Fredrik between the differing voltage output settings on the dCS equipment. I’ve been listening at .6, 2, and 6 over the last few months, with and without a passive pre. I might/may/maybe/possibly hear a difference that we would characterize as “blacker black” (lower noise floor) on the 6V setting. But it’s a tenuous perception at best. And as to other SQ differences, there are none. Doesn’t mean Fredrik isn’t hearing it; only that I am not.