Accustic Arts Tube Dac II or Berkley Alpha DAC

Does the AA Tube DAC have volume control or do does it need a preamp?

You need a preamp. I have a Chord CPA 5000. Thanks Teejay. I purchased the AA Tube DAC II based in part on your excellent review.

When comparing the AA and Berkeley, were they both run through a preamp or was the Berkeley run direct to amp?

Tea,

So the AA sounds better than the Alpha even when running HiRez?

In my system Berkeley sound far far better than AA.
Like night and day!
May be tubes was not good in AA.
But it is a fact!
My friend, who bring AA said that it is best DAC he ever heard. But after comparision he bought Berkely!