Non-Clipping Amplifier

[Kay]

So what?
What is the problem?

http://www.silonex.com/audiohm/limiter.html

[sam9]

If it is limiting the gain to prevent clipping, then surely it must be compressing the input signal i.e. it is non-linear and therefore useless for audio.

Seems to that by definition, anything that limits or reduces clipping introduces distortion. It does seem to me that if you could design/choose each element of of the reproduction chain from source to loudspeaker (and room volume), there is the possablity that you could have an over system in which clipping would never take place or at least not at any level below the point that hearing loss begins.