Adjusting Volume Control for best perfomance!!

[yeelim]

i wonder how you guys adjust your volume control between the hardware and software, i owned a sound blaster live! platinum and BA4800, when i adjust my master volume to 100%, i felt distortion on my speaker ........ so how you guys achieve the cleanest sound

 

[PliotronX]

Master volume: 2%
The sound card's "amp" is entirely inadequate, and I leave the amplifying up to my speakers.