I agree with maximus1, I dont boost all my modules and I dont gain them up at all, my gain on the modules is between 12- and 3 depending on the module. The 1086 gets mushy after 3 or so, most of them get mushy after 4. My pedals: heavily Modded TS-9 and Sd-1 gain ZERO tone knob to desired postition, usually between 11-2 and the levels are around 75 - 90%. This does not add any more gain, its just like getting a clarity and warmth mod from Turley on a smaller scale of course, just a little easier on the wallet (no offense Pete). Works like a charm on the 1086, see to me the 1086 lacks tightness in the bass area, when boosted it cleans that up and sounds just the way I think it should. it is really the only module I boost, on ocassion ill boost the SL+ but it to is modded and is killer all on its own, but boosted hell its insane.
I have played these all at bedroom level and live levels and to me boosting is never a bad idea just to get some UMPH out of the amp.
Hell I had a friend tell my that my amp didnt have enough GAIN for him, My tone is very clean sounding as im sure alot of you playing the RM series have a similar setup. Im assuming that his sound is very very satuarted. I guess he plays through a 400watt Measa strategy and a rack mout peavey rockmaster, never heard his tone but I have a **** load of gain on this amp and with my pedals I have even more on hand if needed. Just was floored when he said I didnt have enough GAIN. LOL
Got a buddy that jmas a LINE6 Bogner spider Valve, and I dont know what it is but that thing sucks man. His presence is more than whats under the x-mas tree in whoville, and his treble my god its ear pearcing, I mean maybe he likes that but in a band situation his tone is so muddy and undefined it really hard to play with him, keeps telling me that i would change my mind about RM100 if I messed around with the LINE 6 Spider Valve. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT
As for Pedals tone sucking, honestly there is not much difference from them in or out of the signal path to me ears, I mean ya a little bit but when the amp is cranked it not very noticable, and if its that big o deal they do make TRUE BYPASS pedals, which I have on the way as well. Just my opinion and FYI.