Is no preamp really better that a good preamp?

This is getting beyond me, but I appreciate all the input. To summarize: I power Martin Logan Spires with a Spectron Musician III Mk 2. I also use PS Audio DirectStream and their Phono section. I would actually love suggestions as to what preamp under $5K would be a strong match. I listen to all kinds of music, and I love clarity, especially in the mid and upper ranges, more than all other acoustic qualities.

I should mention that I loved my Cary sli-80 integrated amp, so I wonder if a Cary Slp-03 or Slp-98L would be good choices for me. I'm coming off several surgeries and don't live close to any dealers with top rate gear, so getting out for many auditions is tough for me.

Yes Bdp24 that goes for everything active or passive from the source output to the poweramp input.
If impedances matching is not correct (Ohms Laws) and the current is compromised (Kirchoffs' Laws).
No amount of voodoo speak will solve the problem. This is why I asked Phd to name preamps that can drive better than the output of the OP's PS Audio Dac.

BTW: I don't know how passive came into this conversation, maybe it was just a bit of baiting?? The OP question was just "Is no preamp really better that a good preamp?"

Rustler: Almarg and I have both told you have a great match to go direct, and adding an active pre is going to do nothing but colour the sound and put a hole in your pocket.

Cheers George

Rustler ... I have a similar set up using Martin Logan and Spectron running both digital and analog sources directly for a while. I eventually added a tube line stage. While I cannot say the sound was better per your original question, I enjoy the flexibility of having a different presentation. I always like the analog source passing thru the line stage, but for digital it depends on how I want to feel or the music I am listening to. If I want to feel upbeat and engaged, the digital source goes directly to the amp and if I want to feel relaxed, I add the line stage to the signal path. Others might feel the opposite, but for me this is what happens.

Umm, maybe using the forums for financial gain?
Andrew9405 (Answers | This Thread)

Hmm! So designers cannot participate in forums when they are not pushing their own products?? One believes in active and the other passive or no preamp with supporting arguments.

Personally I find their posts valuable with ACCURATE information especially Atmasphere since I'm also a tube guy and believe in active preamps.