Interesting, I can't see it as usable if it's hissing and anything
past about 3:00 is pretty snakey on my unit.

Well, there are quieter preamps on the market. You use an API for color, not
transparency.

I was told most people want the -20
pad modified to -30 or -40 to turn it down.

I'd want mine modified to something less, like -10, which is usually all that's
needed to keep a hot source from from overloading an ADC. I'm not much fond of
the sound alteration when the pad is switched in, though.

Scott Fraser