Different sound for sure. A dac straight to amp seems to be the most pure way to go. I always found my way back to an active preamp. Just sounded more relaxed dynamic and everything comes in place better. Certain music or even most sounds very good dac straight if a little thin. Detailed for sure though. Rock with lots of cymbals just sounded jumbled in comparison. Is it added distortion? Probably. Don’t care as long as it sounds good.
Passive preamps do offer resolution but after that, not much else in my experience especially with the BeSpoke passive preamp ($10K). It cannot compete with layering of the sound (vocals - instruments), no space between the instruments & vocals, placement within the sound stage, etc. It just offers a flat sound stage by comparison.
need is a strong word. in my case the sound with a preamp in my system is on a higher level. soundstage, speed, life like dynamics and energy, the sound accelerates much quicker making it exciting.
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