Solo streamer

I’d always rather have a separate preamp.  I know DAC / Preamps are hugely popular but I wonder how many are just climbing the DAC ladder and have never had a really good preamp that meshes well with all their other gear.  
 

My last two preamps were a CJ and Zesto.  System sounded thin and honestly not that great with just a DAC driving my amps.    I tried it with several DACs and put the preamp right back on the chain. 

@oddiofyl I compared the preamp in the M3 to Pass Labs XP-12 and XP-22. The M3 direct to amp is very transparent but not harsh. The only area where it lacks slightly is the soundstage depth and layering. This is where a dedicated preamp comes in. 

@oddiofyl 

The heart of my system is a vintage Conrad Johnson preamp refitted with Teflon caps by CJ.  It really makes my system work.

That Bricasti is a fine sou ding unit and the fact it can drive an Amp is appealing but I like to run all of my sources at a fixed output into a preamp .  I guess if you are all digital it makes sense ....

I'll always use an active pre

Preamp is a must in my book. I’ve not gotten the best possible results unless a preamp is in a system. I’m not saying you don’t need one. We were just talking DACs and features.