Do I really need a preamp?

Robcentola. I agree that it all depends on the system and equipment used and it is also personal taste at times.

Besides the Dsonic you should check out the new amps at NAD and Merrill Audio. One is $3,000 the other is $2,500 I believe, encase you are not aware of them. They both look interesting for the money IMHO.

Oh, I use my Veritas monos direct. But if I spent a lot of money (at least $8,000 and up) on the right preamp I could see were it might bring added enjoyment.

Another interesting amp to check into is the new Ampzilla from Wyred 4 Sound who bought the rights from Spread Spectrum Technologies. I believe it lists for $3000

Go into a studio and see they always have a pre gain stage ,..... Always.
Can certainly get good sound with a passive, no doubt. All about
preferences. No need for the active to be tube....just my preference.

grannyring

there will be pre gain stages on mics, guitar amps , ect. Not on the playback system

What about the recording engineers of the world? Should they be eliminating gain stages? They in fact use them right? Fact is eliminating these gain stages does impact dynamics. High frequencies compress all together so you can hear everything at the same level. The background noise is just as loud as the voice etc...This is just an example of properly executed gain stages a their importance.

I have found the same to be true in a high end playback system. I have also heard playback systems without an active preamp that sounded good .... Just not as good to this set of ears. It is certainly subjective.