High end stereo preamps? Worth it?

@djones51,

unfortunately a digital volume control progressively leads to a loss of resolution as the available bits get truncated. As long as you stay above say 80% of max volume, your statement applies; below, not so much

Analog  volume control is generally better. The truncated bits is true when dealing with 16 bit DACs not so much with 32 bits. 

@georgehifi, could this be harmonics ... ??? ... "color it"

I used a Marantz AV-8802A pre/processor as my preamp and home theater system processor.  I knew it was a very good theater processor but I also knew there was better hi-fidelity I should have for my musical, 2-channel play time.  I had already changed my amplifier from Adcom to Balanced Audio Technology (that alone was a revelation in sonic superiority to what I had).  I researched further and landed on the Balanced Audio Technology VK-33SE preamp.  It made sense as those units were designed/engineered to work properly with one another.  WOW!  was that an upgrade in sonic superiority.  The soundstage and imaging became so lifelike and dimensional.  Yes, a top-end preamp does make a very significant difference for high fidelity music reproduction.  Do your research to find a good match in preamp & amp and you will be rewarded very well in musical enjoyment.  Note; the BAT preamp does have the capability to change a source input to a fixed "unity gain", basically a pass-through.  This allows you to use an external pre/processor for your theater enjoyment while still using the main amp to your main speakers and not having to change any cable connections.  Very simple, convenient, and very nice.
Best of luck to you in your quest.

@georgehifi, could this be harmonics ... ??? ... "color it"

Yes maybe more like the "harmonic distortions" from the tubes themselves, which some like😏

Like I said before, they can’t make what’s coming out of the source better (add additional music content that’s not there), they can just color it with distortions and or microphonics.

Sources today have enough output to drive any poweramps to full power and more, this is why Nelson Pass said this.

“We’ve got lots of gain in our electronics. More gain than some of us need or want. At least 10 db more.

Think of it this way: If you are running your volume control down around 9 o’clock, you are actually throwing away signal level so that a subsequent gain stage can make it back up.

Routinely DIYers opt to make themselves a “passive preamp” - just an input selector and a volume control.

What could be better? Hardly any noise or distortion added by these simple passive parts. No feedback, no worrying about what type of capacitors – just musical perfection.

And yet there are guys out there who don’t care for the result. “It sucks the life out of the music”, is a commonly heard refrain (really - I’m being serious here!). Maybe they are reacting psychologically to the need to turn the volume control up compared to an active preamp.”

Cheers George