Weez,
So you are saying that I will most likely loose more energy in a LM317 then I would with a sense resistor?
I haven't had the time to really study linear regs, so I am very weak on this subject.
But it just seems to me if you are dropping 2.5 to 4 volts (LM317 instead of 1.5 volts (resistor) at equal currents you are going to dissipate more power.
Of course the trade off is you are giving up better current regulation.

Knna/Weez- If I go with resistors and 24v VR driver, do I need to be concerned about start up transients damaging LEDs?