Right, but is it possible to have a good looking meter reading at the JB3 and still end up with crap if it's clipped at the A/D ?
that looks like a question...and I guess the answer depends on what you're using i.e. where the a>d is
If you're using a separate preamp and a>d (or a DAT as a front end), then you could potentially brickwall at the preamp, feeding junk into the a>d but seeing safe levels. So it's clipping before the a>d.
If it's an integrated unit (like the V3 or AD-20) that is feeding a digital signal to the JB3 then likely no - the JB3 display shows what's going on at the external a>d.
If you're using the analog in on the JB3 then no again, the meters are indicative of the internal levels, probably measure before the a>d but properly calibrated to the a>d input level.