Eliminated my preamp with amazing results

it is interesting to read opinions and experience of each others about such and such gear piece...Needed or not...

But there can be only  anecdotes here , because too many factors and specific needs and different gear levels experience are implied...

I dont need a preamplifier with my integrated TOP Sansui alpha for sure driving my headphones only now ...

But suppose i  want  to upgrade it with a TOP power amplifier because i had mew big speakers  , i will need one....Or suppose i decide to buy a TOP integrated superior to the Sansui alpha ? Now suppose i upgraded this integrated superior to my Sansui alpha with a power amplifier top in the world , i will need a TOP preamplifier  ( a tube Berning preamp ? )  ...

This had no ends, add each one of us system and needs and all acoustic, electrical and mechanical parameters at play...

 There is no rule here AT ALL ....

By the way as i said i bought a low cost tube preamplifier to add to my active speakers : total improvement and not small ...It is anecdotal as is anecdotal the possible improvement in some specific mechanical,electrical and acoustical embeddings workings system/house/room if we throw off the preamplifier ...some coupling are bad or useless  or simply not synergetical  etc ...

If I am not mistaken, the analogue section of a DAC amplifies the decoded signal to max preamp level so that there are only two aspects that would warrant a separate preamp: a better analogue design capable of improving on the necessarily compromised analogue section of the DAC or a superior attenuator (assuming the DAC has one). In the latter instance a passive should beat any active preamp on distortion, in the former the solution might be a better DAC. I have yet to hear a concise argument why a separate preamp with additional cables and innate additional distortion should beat a high quality DAC. For most modern designs arguments about impedance mismatches are irrelevant.

What is a high quality dac, used in some specific coupling parameters, not only electrical one but acoustical and mechanical one ? Dac vary a lot in price and properties...

We all have different ears, needs, gear pieces and different room and different house electrical grid and noise level floor etc Even speakers vibrations and resonance here play a role etc ...

Rules applied in a regulated environment...

Living room are not a regulated environment nor the general gear design on the market is regulated with an enough refined level of standards to make possible such a rule as : no need for a preamplifier or the opposite rule , we all need a preamplifier...

Is it not evident ? 😊

@antigrunge2, read the previous posting. The experience detailed below not only emphasizes the synergistic impact of a preamp but also underscores that its effect extends beyond mere volume control. Again, Weiss 202 is a terrific DAC...

+1 @pdreher ... with new amps (Quicksilver KT Mono’s), volume control via the Weiss DAC sounded good (detailed and clean), but a bit on the lean and sterile side. Adding a DeHavilland Ultraverve 3 preamp took my system to a new level, adding body and fullness lacking when using the Weiss direct to amps.

@lanx0003 

OK, no more speculating on my part. Lets look at the real story of exactly what Paul said...

For years he happily used a Direct stream DAC straight to amp because it sounded better without a preamp. Arnie had him listen to his 'Aesthetix Calypso' preamp. ($5000/7000) Paul agreed it was better.

Paul then went home and plugged in the best preamp PS Audio made and it sound WORSE! Why??? Arnie told him the reason it was worse was " You're not using a good enough preamp".

At that time they were using the Aesthetix in the main listening room. Arnie said..."Ya know, probably doesn't make sense to be using someone else preamp. Ya outta just make your own."

Paul set out and developed(with the late Bascom King) the BHK series ($7000)to be as good as the Aesthetix.

Paul summarized very clealy..." if you're not able to afford something as good as a BHK preamp($7000)DO NOT put a lesser preamp between the DAC and the amp. Go direct DAC to AMP" "it will sound BETTER".

I don't interpret this as Paul being an advocate for preamps, I see it as being an advocate for high end preamps ONLY. If you don't have the money (which some people can't afford) then avoid the preamp and going direct will sound better.

His words...not mine.