Who needs a Preamp??

The whole issue can be nicely summed up with a, “it depends”.  

Of course I might be accused of being lazy with that response, but it depends.

I am also a poster child for preamps.  Won’t go into the dozens I have built and owned, but I love preamps! Beyond infatuation at this stage in our long relationship. Yep, it depends says it all.  

To use or not to use preamp it depends from a system and amplifier topology.

I use SET 300B amplifier. And in this topology the short signal path is important.
My amp is integrated and it is a good solution for low power SET amplifiers.
I also have an external phono stage for vinyl source.
Both phono stage and DAC are connected to input of my integrated SET.

If someone use more powerful amplifiers (especially mono-blocks) with more sophisticated circuit and long signal path it is more reason to use preamp.

To answer your question, IMO.  Without a preamplifier you are listening to audio components but with a preamplifier, you are listening to music.  

Ok, sorry a question that ha probably been answered before but I cant seem to find.

To open up my speakers (reduce impedance? - decrease the brakes put on them by volume) do I keep my volume on my amp up high and control volume with my DAC or vice versa?

My equipment: (I am sure midfi to many of you)
Innuos to Comet Exogal DAC to Audion KT 120 amp to Rethm Saadhana

I was interested in this thread because when I use my TT (Rega Planar 6) I have to then go through my Audio Hungary APR 204 pre-amp as it is my phone stage