i used the mp-2 for about a month and a half before going to the v2 with my audio technica 4051's which put out as hot of signal as they come, i would have the mp-2 as zero gain and still getting action all they way accross the meters of the mp-2 up to +16db, you should be fine, its a warm pre, so i would say run it low and the d8 high and i think that what your gonna do, let us know how it turns out