Help and opinions needed on pre-amp situation

My DAC has volume capability (ESS Sabre implementation) and XLR. My Mullard’d tube pre does not support XLR. Using Audio Quest Red River XLR cables and Morrow MA4 interconnects I flipped back and forth between XLR DAC direct and My Tube pre with the Marrows. I preferred the sound with the Pre. Waited about 6 months and took the pre out of the chain and yet again I returned to the pre. I just like the sound with the pre in the chain. Streaming Qobuz via Roon , dedicated SGC ST i5 and a Bryston endpoint.

What @ghdprentice said.  My pre added a "richness" to the sound.  

I compared the LeedH volume control of the Lumin X1 (I owned it) with my Benchmark LA4. The LeedH volume control was almost as good as the LA4. The only place it failed, and this is likely unimportant, is at very low volume when you increase the volume. It does not increase in constant increments until it gets to a certain level, then it is as expected. Most won’t notice this because it is a low volume issue.

The Lumin X1 was the best DAC direct-to-amp I owned. I usually hate ALL DACs direct to amp, especially compared to the LA4. I used the X1 into the LA4 which was the best. The volume on the LA4 is as good as it gets for me. I recently owned close to 8 preamps from $700 to $7500 and the LA4 is my fav.

I also own a Holo Serene and it is a carbon copy of the LA4 (with less features) and a bit of warmth. I would use these 2 preamps with ANY amp.

I also have a preamp I use for headphones, but it is also great on 2-channel to my MagTech amp and Magnepan LRS+ speakers. It is the pure Class A Schitt Mjonir 3,

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

It is a warmer preamp than the LA4 or Serene. I compare it favorably to my now sold CODA 07x preamp. The Schitt maybe better for my tastes. I bet it would sound great with the Atma-sphere amps and at only $1200. Much better for me than the Schitt Freya+ (now sold)

I you are thinking of using your projector to listen to audio then consider the D.B0B. When my SACD/CD player died (Sony SCD-1) I bought the $799 D.BOB and I can now play CD and SACD disks using a $200 used Oppo SACD player. I take the HDMI output from the Oppo into the D.BOB. The D.DOB then outputs SPDIF into my Schitt Yggi+ Less is More DAC (like it more than the Lumin X1). The Yggi+ is connected to my Holo Serene preamp which connects to my MagTech amp.

The D.BOB is a superb sounding unit which can decode DSD. I had some consideration of spending $6k more to add a SACD transport option to a DAC I will soon buy for my Livingroom system. However, given how good the D.BOB is I have saved myself that money.

@veerossi  I’m a big fan of PS Audio as a company, and have really enjoyed my BHK preamp.  My preamp, DAC, phono pre, and power amp are all PS Audio.  I really like the sound of my system.

Having said that, the BHK is a hybrid preamp with a tube input stage and a solid state output stage.  Personally, I don’t like the sound of the stock tubes and use Tunsgram 7dj8 NOS tubes in the BHK preamp and BHK250 power amp instead.

I used the PS Audio trial period when buying the DSD DAC and Stellar phone pre, and I purchased the BHK preamp and BHK250 power amp used.  Both out of warranty.  About 6 month later, the left channel went out in the BHK pre amp.  I sent it in for repair.  PS Audio repaired it for free and shipped it back on their dime.  I’ve had no issues since.  

I tried using just the DSD DAC with the BHK250 since the DAC has a volume control.  The sound was kinda flat and lifeless.  In my case, there is a huge difference in SQ with and without the BHK preamp.       

Simplest answer is yes, you need a tube preamp, especially if you're going to keep those Class D Amps. Try, borrow, whatever, but see for yourself.