What difference do you not see? When set for "RCA+XLR output the reference is the RCA output," so the display shows the output level of the RCA even though the XLR output is actually 6dB higher.I have a Pre90. Xlr connected. Also RCA goes to mono sub amp. I don't see any difference. Fantastic pre. + Electronic X over+ three stereo amps. All via XLR. Dac is xlr differential. SMSL do100 cheapo stuff 2 amazing results. Thanks.