My ears tell me this works for Core-sound:
CSB>SPSPSB1>Nomad JB3
ok, could you be more specific about the lineage. If you are getting levels within 3-4 dB of full scale, with the JB3 set at 0dB, then good for you. We must be talking about different setups.
First off, are these the $260 CSBs or the low cost ones. Reason I ask is that regular CSBs use an uncommon connector that won't readily interface with the SP-SPSB-1 battery box.
If you're using the low cost CSBs with the standard miniplug, then we are talking about different mics with different sensitivities, and a different powering scheme (SP box) that supposedly 'ups' the output a little. The low cost CSBs don't have the mods that make them better (and unfortunately, drop the sensitivity).
Which mics? Did you mod the connectors?
Also, are you using any bass rolloff - that would also cut the output levels (in a good way generally)?