Ok everything I read says that when using a usb dac that the volume levels in the player(mediamonkey) should be at 100% so as not to deteriorate the bit stream What about the preamp level in the eq in media monkey. I assume 0db or in the middle of the graph (neutral) since the music streamer ii has no volume control and runs 100% also, a passive volume control must be used with active monitors that do not have gain or volume controls correct? Will I be able to hear effecient headphones with a passive volume control with a headphone jack. NHT makes a nice looking passive volume control with a headphone (mini) jack.