kellen OP Save your money on any preamp, put it toward upgrading something else. The Benchmark Dac3 has a very good volume control, and it's output stage would put many preamps to shame..
Benchmark Dac3 volume control
HGC™ Hybrid Gain Control HGC™ is Benchmark’s unique hybrid gain control that combines analog and digital gain control into a single volume control knob. The HGC™ system uses an active analog gain control for analog inputs and a 32-bit dithered volume control for digital inputs. Both types of inputs leverage the low-impedance passive Manual for DAC3 HGC and DAC3 L with 2.X Firmware - Rev. D Page 7 analog attenuation system at the XLR outputs. The dual-domain HGC™ system combines the high dynamic range of Benchmark’s HDR™ analog control (used in the DAC1 HDR) with the low distortion and accuracy of a digital control. HGC™ outperforms traditional analog or digital volume controls, including the twostage DAC1 HDR™ system. Musical details are preserved over a very wide range of output levels. Analog inputs are controlled in the analog domain. Digital inputs are controlled in both domains. The volume control is a servo-driven analog potentiometer. This control rotates in response to commands from the remote control while providing the convenience of manual adjustments with a physical knob.
60ohms output impedance, with up to 18v output available, this is more that enough for any amp ever, would even drive a First Watt F? Nelson Pass amp that has virtually no gain
Cheers George
