DAC as pre amp

@soix yeah i have considered the pre in the Wadia just ain't that good. 

@carlsbad2 yeah call it what you want.

Full disclosure: The pre is the only component with valves, the rest is solid state. Is it the NOS matched Mullards I got from Andy's Tube Services?  I don't know but I am satisfied with the configuration at this point, but also intrigued. 

Maybe someday collapse the DAC into a nice pre with both.  The cool thing is I am learning more and more as I go and my taste in music (evolved I would like to think) over time. 

I have a project pre box s2 digital and I use it for a dac. It has a volume knob but I ask myself how much could they have possibly invested in this attenuator and still come in at $400? 

Thank you for sharing your experience. 

This is the most common experience, but having it documented is really helpful to those who have just joined high end audio and never experienced a high end preamp, or swapped them out without proper comparison. . 
 

I resisted buying a preamp for a long time.  I eventually did and was surprised how it improved the sound.  I don't know why, it made an improvement in definition and/or forcefulness.  I didn't spend a ton either.  I bought a used Bryston BP25 for $1000 about 15 years ago.  It works as well today as it did when I got it.  Everyone should at least try it.  Parasound, Schiit and I'm sure others make good cheap preamps.

@carlsbad2

So you enjoy the coloration provided by the Pre.

It’s more likely that they enjoy the improved performance due to better impedance matching, a better output stage, and better ability to drive an amplifier. I’ll think you’ll be standing alone in this line.