Who is using their DAC as a preamp?

There is the even better, the Alps "Back Beauty", but they cost a lot more.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/O1kAAOSwQolbFS19/s-l300.jpg

https://www.picclickimg.com/00/s/MTA3MVgxNjAw/z/W~QAAOSwYGFUv3Ah/$/1pcs-ALPS-RK40-50KA-Black-Beauty-...

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrMqGsGmwCWfSPDB1Y9O6LrTsKEfybIOqvEkwLGaCSU4Li...

I am sorry Georgi, but this device is an EXCELLENT passive unit

As for the sound, I don’t doubt you like it,. and what you get is a bargain, I’m just pointing out the confusion of their ad in what actual value Blue Velvet is used and you get, all values will work as I pointed out, some better than others, because of proper >1:10 impedance matching input and output.

We just have to wait for someone to have a look at what’s inside them.

Cheers George

George, I am sure you meant Black. Do those pictures say Black Beauty anywhere ? I cannot find it. I know about the Black bodied attenuators that Alps made, but they are no longer made, as the " Blue " does the trick. A buddy of mine purchased 4 of them, based on my recommendation of trying one, and he is using 2 per system, 1 for Left and one for right ( single channel only of the passive ), and tells me he hears an improvement in sq vs. using one. I have not been over to hear it, as he is out of state of my location, but, George, what do you think ?

Yes typo "Black Beauty" if you came through Audio 70's/80's you know all about the Alps Black Beauty and Blue Velvet.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Alps+%22Black+Beauty%22&rlz=1C1CHZL_enAU820AU820&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ5Lv4n-_hAhVYWysKHWNkD_UQ_AUIDigB&biw=1408&bih=869

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHZL_enAU820AU820&biw=1408&bih=869&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=fcHDXNK9ONmR9QPNn73ICw&q=Alps+%22Blue+Velvet%22&oq=Alps+%22Blue+Velvet%22&gs_l=img.12..0i30j0i24l6.25691.35942..38034...0.0..0.207.1739.0j11j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i7i30j0i8i7i30.28dFrooeV2A

As for using a separate pot, same value, for each channel, there is no EE reason that it should be better or worse.
  
But I get the same thing with owners of two Lightspeed Attenuators, the  Stereo version and the Dual Mono version, they swear the Dual Mono sounds better.
I think it's because they can dial in an exact central stereo image with the left and right level controls, regardless of room/equipment/ music source influences, and this has an slight influence on the sound to them.


Cheers George

I'm now using the Exogal Comet Plus, and have removed the Dehavilland Mercury II preamp from my system. I just prefer how it sounds. Digital has come along way.

George has been saying all along, that with today's digital sources, with the lower impedances and 2 volt outputs, the gain stages of preamps are not necessary. I do concur with these findings. 25 years ago, or more, there were passive units available, or preamps with passive as an option ( I owned most of them; PSAudio, Superphon, Mod Squad, McCormack, and many more ). Passive was ok, but back then I preferred a preamp. It is interesting, that I own my 2 older Dacs, since '95 ( Adcom and AA ), and not until I bought ( for shits and giggles ) my 1st Nuforce STA200 this time in '17, did I realize passive was the way to go. As it turns out ( and I know Georgie is very critical on the impedance matching thing ), every power amp in my " still " collection, sounds better than I ever remember then sounding, without a preamp between the dacs and the amps. I have several tuners, and other sources that are just fabulous through the amps directly. And this cheap Douk Audio piece, is killer, for 40 clams. I am told by many ( people I personally know ), that George's LDR unit is the best there is, and I do not doubt it. Anyone today who prefers a preamp, imo, likes a bit of color, and whatever else the additional gain stage adds, or subtracts, or, their source is simply inadequate to drive an amp. Just my take on things. Still, no right or wrong; just go with what your ears tell you. Sorry for the rant, as my testosterone levels are high this morning / early afternoon ( which is good at almost 65 years of age ). Enjoy ! MrD.