Keep this in mind, The Gainmaker amplifier is designed to be balanced with the input pad. you simply change input padding to achieve output level. DO NOT change intrerstage padding unless design calls for it also DO NOT change the output pads as they are factory set for station gain. It is recomended to balance the amplifier in the thermal compensation mode switch position 1. Allowing for station warm up you are balancing this amplifier for the current ambient temperature. This is the maufacurer recomendations.