I’m using a BDA 3.14 as a digital preamp connected via XLR to a 4B3 powering a pair of Paradigm Persona 3Fs.
Since the Personas are fairly efficient, I thought I’d try the 23 db gain setting. I came away impressed with the improvement.
The background was quieter which brought out additional detail. Overall the sound was smoother with no change to soundstage width and depth and I can now use more of the volume control on the 3.14.