The Best Preamp is no Preamp?

Could it be that this discussion arises from a definitorial problem?

The analogue stage of a DAC generally outputs a signal akin to that of a pre, so all that‘s needed is attenuation and in some cases an analogue input to handle the phono signal. Therefore going passive or direct from a dac seems to obviate the issues one might have when attenuating a signal from a phono amplifier with a passive.

So it comes down to the quality of the attenator in the dac. Admittedly there are steep differences between say a stepped array and crude digital attenuators.

I run an Antelope Zodiac Platinum which via its balanced outputs can even address Ralph‘s bi-amping point and provides single ended and balanced analogue inputs.

So removing a poor preamp (Marantz SR5015) makes the system sound better...Got it!

To clarify, Marantz SR5015 is NOT a preamp per se. It is a 7.2 AVR designed and manufactured for home theater application. For the price, it is not a poor multi-channel AVR. But when used as a preamp, it just got too many baggages / interferences in one chassis to be able to match well with the rest of system and sound good. It is almost no brainer that the system will sound better by removing it from the signal path.

I have an MSB Discrete/MSB Premier Power Base that I run direct to my Pass Labs 250.8 (with Wilson Audio Sabrina X speakers).  I am a fully digital guy, FYI, so I don’t need analog inputs, although my wife recently commented that she would like to hear some of my vinyl on a turntable for nostalgia purposes.  I too have been wondering about whether to get a tube pre like an Audio Research Ref 5 and whether it will add anything better to the sound. It seems counterintuitive that putting a bunch of wires and circuits into the signal path actually will improve the sound, but seemingly, lots of people with good systems claim that it is the case.  I have an open mind and will see if I can try something before I buy one, but is there any explanation for how putting a preamp in the signal path when you have a fairly higher-end DAC can make an improvement?