Control volume with DAC or Preamp?

I purchased PSAudio DS DAC and BHK 250 stereo amp.  I was not thrilled, and added the PSAudio BHK preamp, for no other reason except sound quality.  I was rewarded (to my ears) with better overall sound through the preamp.  I did not need it for other sources.  I have since moved on from PSAudio, but reconfirmed several times that my DAC sounded better through a quality preamp.  I also firmly believe that synergy is involved between the preamp and the amp(s).  I now have amazing Audionet gear, and again have confirmed (through my ears) that the preamp between my DAC and amps afforded (a funny word right?) better sound.  These are my personal observations.  Believe me, I wanted to get away without the preamp cost.  Easy to believe that anything additional in the signal path will not help, but that was not my findings.  Poor interconnects between Preamp and amp will of course affect this outcome.  And I believe only a truly good preamp will give these same results.  Stay safe!  Ken

@fastfreight, May I ask which Audionet pieces you are using?

Indeed, you, like me and many others, have found that quality preamps do indeed serve their designed purpose.

Of course George will tell you that your ears (or components) are wrong.

What's important is that future readers understand his bias, and that the only way to know for themselves is to try the alternative approaches in their system.

Clearly results differ in different systems and for different ears. 

@unsound DAC chips can control volume in the digital domain and many DACs use this feature of the chip to do so. In my own experience this leads to clearly inferior results compared to a pre. I would never consider using a DAC for volume control unless the DAC has a real analog pre stage of some kind, or at the very least an analog volume control chip. Not to say that it's any good, but adjusting volume in the analog domain is the first prerequisite.

@madavid0, So rather than for a reason, it’s for a preference? And I don’t post this to discount your preference.