A good>better pre is necessary if running source to PA IF the PA doesn't have level controls onboard. Adding switching between source and PA allows for nearly anything one could desire inline between...
....which is how I've been able to be 'pre-less' ( No, not peerless, which is another issue for another day...) for quite awhile now. A 6x6 matrix unit allows to 'daisy-chain' as desired with whatever makes the boats float around here...
Generally and octave+parametric room correcting eq handles dB dosage daily.
'Upstream' of the matrix is the digital 'source' switching, with 8 in/out with 3 monitor loops to select (one 'main' with 2 additional) and a diy TT 3 in with a RIAA in/out control if 'upstream' from a 'Real pre' with a 'TT in' pair onboard (getting rarer of late...but I've not shopped integrateds or receivers lately either).
Yes, there is a lot of ic's involved.....'decent', but if I went sorta SOTA it'd co$t more than all else involved and would be kinda like pig lipstick. *L*
It's more set up for the arcane audio acts I'm up to and pleases these ears.
...and it's likely what one would want if one is diy'ng speakers....sans enclosures.
I'm 'into' a enclosure-less variant in one pursuit.....
Yes, you'll have to ask wtf that means.... ;)...