A Bluesound Node 2i is my digital source and Schiit Mani phono for my turntable.
Running the MZ2 and previously a ModWright SWL 9.0 AE, both are 11dB of gain. The Node 2i through both required the volume knob to be turned to or past 12 o'clock for my listening. Given those experiences and the modest 19.6dB of the Aleph J, I figured at least some gain would be beneficial. But perhaps my assumption is misplaced as I've not tried a passive pre yet.
Running the MZ2 and previously a ModWright SWL 9.0 AE, both are 11dB of gain. The Node 2i through both required the volume knob to be turned to or past 12 o'clock for my listening. Given those experiences and the modest 19.6dB of the Aleph J, I figured at least some gain would be beneficial. But perhaps my assumption is misplaced as I've not tried a passive pre yet.