Best Preamp = No Preamp?

I have found the opposite, if you want Body and the absolute dynamics, warmth etc.. Nothing can replace a good Tube Preamp, even no preamp.. Just my opinion, but something is always dry or missing in the emotional connection running digital raw, some super hi end players might put pretty good preamp sections in their top digital pieces that will work well, but I don't feel any DACS in these price ranges can compete up against the equal DAC with an excellent Preamp in the Chain.

Undertow,

Read my post again. You agree 100% with me and I with you.
Amen.

Bill

When you put a pre amp into your system you are now listening to music that has been changed by the manufacturer of said pre. If you had the option of playing two or three pre amps one after the other your system would sound a little different with each pre. Going direct with the correct combination of equipment can deliver full, warm and very detailed music. Every pre amp out there has some type of sonic signature---some you may like, others you may not. No pre---no signature-------

Forgot to mention----sonic signature os interconnects and another power cord!!!!!!!!

isn't using the variable output that's built into a dac or cd player the same as using a preamp? only difference is that the preamp is built-in to these units. if that assumption is correct, any preamp better than the built-in volume control should be better.

no preamp would be more like taking the fixed line out, with the variable output defeated, and connecting straight to an amp, which is not too practical in the real world.