Benchmark DAC-1 vs DAC-1 HDR

Musicnoise,

You can do that - but you will likely need the 20 db attenuation - you can verify that you are not overdriving teh pre by using the volume control on a loud loud CD track and see if you reduce distortion by reducing the volume.

You will lose the benefits of balanced XLR if you go to a preamp with only RCA (although the difference in most cases may not be audible but could be a significant factor on long runs).

I ran thr benchmarck dac1 directly into my amp, balanced, and was unimpressed. I think it sounds awesome into my preamp. Into the amp directly, it had no emotion, body, soul. I didn't bob my head, as I do through the preamp. Just my experience with these old ears.

I also tried running it directly into my amp. It sounded better when my preamp was in the chain. More bloom an depth to the soundstage.

I run my benchmark to a Mcintosh C220 Tube....Tried it without directly into Tube mcintosh 2102.I like the preamp in the chain.I like the bloom and roundness that it provided.