I just use the gain switch for proper volume control of which ever phone are plugged in haven't noticed any improvement or degradation of sound just more or less control over volume and have not experienced noise either way I am using the built in mult-bit via usb to the MBP with all music in...

Still rocking the Asgard 3/Multibit card through Focal Clears and never looked back it makes all my music satisfying to listen to.

Ripped my music collection years ago to lossless so I could have it on my MBP, iPad and iPhone works out great for me and I find I am listening to my Headphones more and more thanks to the industry loading so much tech in modern receivers it feels good to just have a great set of headphones with...

I tend to lean towards a well built ss amp that is class A/B for durability and sound.

I liked my Asgard with multi-bit better that's why I sold Modi/Magni

Headphones and Speakers for the most part are not using a lot of wattage until a dynamic passage hits then if the speaker in question does not have a reserve so to speak it will clip causing damage to both amp and speaker some never experience this if they listen at low volume levels or have...

I have used both hi and low settings and never noticed any difference to my ears all music being played in lossless on a MBP fed usb to Asgard 3/card (multi) then to Focal Clears or HiFiman HE 400i.

Still satisfied with my Asgard 3 with multibit card and Focal Clears.

I think it is source dependent I have not had a noise issue coming from my MBP via USB however my friend has on his XPS but has since bought a newer version with Unison problem solved.

Still rocking the A3 with multi-bit module playing through the Clears listening to my library in lossless through the MBP this is been the longest I have been satisfied with the sound.

The one in the picture is an A3 which will run warm if you want to talk about hot the original A1 was a small space heater ,I have the A3 for over a year now and it has never run hot warm yes .

Pink Floyd DSOTM SACD to Asgard 3 to Focal Clear.

I will say this once you feed these things some power they are one of the most dynamic headphones i have heard the slam is incredible.

Oppo + A3/MB Card +Focal Clear has been my walk away rig for over a year.

Lossless to the Shiit A3 with multbit card out to the Focal Clear and I find no need for eq just a comfy chair.