Quoting bowtie427ss "I'd also recommend replacing the L-pads at the same time" I just had a (crazy?) idea. Since I always leave the L-pads "all the way up" on my AS 101s is BYPASSING the L-pad an option rather than replacing it? Would bypassing The L-pad be just like leaving the L-pad "all the way up" and also eliminate any distortion being caused by an old L-pad (or would bypassing the L-pad change the impedence or sound or cause some other undesired effect)? If I replace the L-pad rather than bypass it, will any 8 ohm L-pad do? Do I just wire the new one exactly the same way as the old one? Here's a link to an L-pad at parts express that I found--but I still like the idea of bypassing the L-pad altogether if that won't cause any undesired effects.... Parts Express:L-Pad 100W Mono 3/8" Shaft 8 Ohm Does anyone out there know if bypassing the L-pad is an option and how difficult would that be to do? I would leave the old L-pad where it is but not have it wired to anything?