Preamp help for First Watt F3

Thanks for the info. I actually don't need any analog inputs. All digital is fine. The LS-100 might be a bit overkill considering all the inputs/outputs it has. The NAD M51 looks interesting but can it actually compete with the LS-100 or Perfectwave?

I like the idea of just getting a DAC with volume control but don't know of too many (especially high end) that offer this.

Some DACs that are reputed to function well without a preamp are:

PS Audio PerfectWave DAC (MKI and MKII)
NAD M51 (reviews on the Australia and UK based boards are overwhelmingly positive)
Mytek Stereo 192
Antelope Zodiac Plus (and the more expensive Gold)
Berkeley Alpha
Weiss DAC 202

I own the PS Audio PWD MKII and am perfectly happy with it. If your source is computer based, they've made some great strides with dithered digital volume control with some of the software based players like Audirvana, JPlay, and PureMusic, so you may find you don't even need the DAC to support remote volume control.

Just check the output impedance of all the recs that wilysnet just gave you. Some digital sources can have higher output impedances than what is common for preamps (though that may not be the case for these digital sources with volume control. I do not know).

I only owned a rawson clone, but found the Shin do Aurieges to be a nice match for it,

CJ ET 3 (100 ohms) or SE version (preamp - high output)
NAD M51 (100 - 200 ohms) (DAC/Preamp)

I have both and they are highly recommended.