RSager: Well as “Thinkingcap” said – you found out everyone likes levels different.
I started recording in the days of Analog Tape and Reel to Reel Tape machines —
and I would record at high levels “HOT” back then to over come Hiss.
But IMO with Digital a person can record a bit lower – but I too keep an
eye and ear on those peak meters. 
Jack 
PS: Yea I tend to raise levels a bit to - in the Mastering phase
and use Reference CD’S to compare Level, EQ, etc.
with Wavelab 7.