If I just use a DAC, do I need a Pre-amp?

The fear of missing out.  This is a hobby, so if there is some sonic thing that a pre gives me that my music player on my PC or my digital player won't, I'd like to know.   

The Fisher is being refurbished.  I have 1st right of refusal.   I do not need volume control.  The Fiio M15 has a nice volume knob and my Audiovana player and both DACs have filters/mini EQs.  

So I think I am missing nothing.  Except I think the 400CX 2 is beautiful - but that is no reason enough to buy it.  

Clearly, I will need to hear it first, and that is tonight's plan.  Both DACs on the Fisher SA-100 (I have other Amps and don't use a pre-amp).

Part II is I think the  Fisher 400CX 2 might hold its value over time.  So I might loose cost of money, where a modern just-as-good or better preamp would likely loose a lot of value in the near term.

As noted above, some DAC’s volume control cut the bits at lower volumes. If your DAC does this, you definitely NEED a pre-amp.   If your DAC has a ’high quality’ analog based volume control, it might sound great going direct to your power amplifier, OR maybe not.

There are no absolutes and that means you have to schedule a test using your equipment, and YOUR EARS, to decide if a pre-amp is, or is not needed. Based on my experience (my ears), I decided to use a pre-amp for the best sound quality.

Some DAC’s have excellent high quality analog based volume controls and others do not. As was also stated above, the only way you are going to know is to test the configuration by going direct from your DAC to a power amplifier and then the DAC direct to a per-amp. In other words, you have to hear how it sounds and then decide what sounds best to you. Unfortunately, it seems, there are many different opinions on this topic (some yes and some no).

The first thing to do is rid your signal chain of all processors, filters and "mini eq, etc. Then and only then can you worry about things like preamps.

And I would forgo the Fisher for something more modern (and better!)

Oz

davidgwillett
I have the opportunity to get a nice Fisher 400CX-2...but why?

 Going direct is the most transparent/dynamic/uncolored way of listening to your source.
Only if you find the need to "color" the sound of your source do you need an expensive active preamp, but you will take a hit on the above for that coloration.
It makes better sense to change the source to get what’s wanted/needed instead.

Classic saying: Ivor Tiefenbrun (Linn LP12 TT inventor)
"It all starts at the source, get that right and you half the way home"

Cheers George