Arny Krueger wrote:
"ScottW" wrote in message

3) Adding extra gain later to compensate will also amplify the noise
floor of the player reducing overall system S/N.

Any subsequent linear gain will elevate the signal and the noise
identically, which would maintain system SNR or dynamic range. Losses are
due to any noise that is added by the gain stage itself.

Agreed, but running the source at a very low output level will
prevent it from outputting optimal S/N ratio and the additional later
gain will also diminish noise (EMI) immunity.

ScottW