It should just be a pre-out not a real pre-amp. If you want fixed line level output cheap just run piggyback RCA cables into the Magni and plug inputs into the piggyback part of the connector. With line level sources you shouldn't notice any loss and then plug the other ends of the piggy back RCA into your other source, Bam full line out, i've compared mono signals one with a direct connection in one channel and a channel with the piggyback connected to a receiver, as well as another test with it plugged into the tape in of a mixer. If you want to add volume to that preout use a Schiit Sys, it's $50, works as a 2 input switch with one output, so you could connect that with a piggyback or splitter from source to Magni or just unplug the Magni. I might sell my SYS, less than a month old was going to use it with my monitors, but the balanced inputs work so much better on them. I am using my Sys as a way of giving me two volume pots for my Magni, that 6x fixed gain is annoying with sensitive cans, the channel imbalance is real.