Best Preamp - NO preamp... (?)

I was running a Benchmark DAC3 HGC directly into 2 AVM M30 Monoblocks. Very Cost efficient as the Benchmark has the Preamp onboard. By recommendation of Benchmark I was considering to ass their HPA4. I ended up adding the Hegel P-20 instead for aesthetic reasons. 

All I can say that it improved the SQ massively. Much bigger, much deeper, more refined. Basically the preamp section of the Benchmark 3 is replaced which the much more substantial Hegel preamp and the Benchmark DAC running in DAC mode improves performance aswell.

In my case the adding of an additional component has made a significant change in the overall system, in the desired direction.

As you said you were comparing two preamps, you found one better than the other, as you said the Benchmark has it’s own internal preamp.

What’s discussed here, is going direct from a dac’s "output buffer" (that has no internal preamp), direct to the amp/s using the dac own digital domain volume control, andtherefore having no preamps at all in the signal path.

Basically the preamp section of the Benchmark 3 is replaced which the much more substantial Hegel preamp and the Benchmark DAC running in DAC mode improves performance aswell.

Maybe, a passive should have been tried running in DAC mode

Cheers George

Point taken.

I would've completely agreed just a few months ago. Direct Stream Sr to the Pass XA60.5 sounded glorious. On a whim, I bought a Pass X0.2 preamp (figured that I could always resell it if I didn't make enough of a difference). Oh was I wrong! The X0.2 might be an older Pass, but it added space and drive to the music that I just didn't have with the DSD Sr. I guess no preamp is better, unless the preamp is really good! :-)

I have tried direct to amp with PS Audio direct stream memory transport and PS Audio DAC to various amps and was underwhelmed by the results in all situations.  The volume control in the PS Audio added to much grain, especially at lower volumes.  Most transports offer enough power for passive/direct wiring to amps these days, but the grain from volume attenuation becomes troublesome.

My pre (Aesthetix Callisto Eclipse) lacks feedback and is dual balanced (dual volume knobs).  Add in tube rolling to tame an overly warm mono block configuration or to add liveliness to a sterile SS amp configuration, it gives me the ability to fine tune whatever configuration I find myself in, and achieve deep bass withVon Schweikert’s (21 hertz) speakers.

I also went down the rabbit hole this year and purchased/experimented with a passive pre (Tortuga) that I had professionally built (I was obsessive with getting things just right in even trying different solders at different places to achieve the most neutral presentation).  I added a tube buffer in the chain and loved the result, but in the end found that set up wonderful for near field application only.  I craved more cowbell during lively rock/country passages.  When I used 1940s NOS tubes and was amazed by the delicate warmth that was offered.  (FYI: I will be reluctantly listing the Tortuga shortly if anyone is interested).

For our moderator, may I suggest an RCA selector between source and amp, you are not going to be happy with all the wear and tear on RCA connectors down the road.  I had one made for my Tortuga that did the trick, but don’t buy a mass marketed selector, have one made to your needs that is robust enough to handle the amount of switching needed.  There are several interconnect builders that should be qualified on AudiogoN.  I use my RCA selector between stereo and mono TT in my analog chain.

Happy holidays all, and enjoy the music!