Are Pre-Amps necessary?

George, you may look at the description of Burmester 001 player, I believe you will read similar text as of 089.

In review in Stereophile (if that mattters) the reviewer concluded, that no matter how good the player sounded connected directly, it sounds better (for him, at least) with its preamp (011).
 Is the difference worth 16t usd (in Us, in that time) everyone should decide for himself.
I had both pieces, together with 956 mk2 amp.
Same thing with 089. Its just sounds better with Burmester preamp

I respect your technical knowlegde, but reading some of your posts I have noticed that you have few 'fixations' (in lack of better word, as english is not mine mother language)

I can understand that somebody likes one type of sound better than the other, but neither point of view should be dogmatic.

Your personal feeling when you listen without preamp, or with passive preamp is just that, a personal perspective.

For example,many times I have read your preference toward R2R dacs, but imho the Burmester 089 sound better, with 1794 BB (which is hybrid,as I understand) than the Burmester 001 whuch has 1704 BB, R2R configuration.

Just wanted to say that one should try to have open mind (and ears) and not make conclusions based on what 'should' sound better,instead of listening first.
Hope that these few words do not sound as a 'lecture', as that was not my intention, but just as reminder how unpredictable this hobby might be
 

Your personal feeling when you listen without preamp, or with passive preamp is just that, a personal perspective.

Sorry not just personal (subjective), but technical (objective) just as much if not more so.

Cheers George

George, I am very aware that nothing that I say (or anybody else, on that matter) will change your views.
However, as stated by many here (including the ones who thinks as you) there are diferent opinions, expirinces or tastes (called them as you like, even 'objective' or 'subjective') that will differ than yours.
I would not dismiss any of those  just because they are not the same as mine ( or yours in this case) perspective.

In my opinion,sound is as subjective as taste,or sight. Isn't beauty in the eye, or ear of the beholder?  

Everything you own, every piece in the hifi chain, is designed with technical EE laws, equations and knowledge, like I said it takes both, but more so the tech side, and if it wasn’t I suggest you don’t go near it.
Different if it were a painting with no math’s or EE science involved.

Cheers George