Dumb question......why do you need a preamp?

My dac has a volume control but I prefer the sound of my system with my tube preamp in the mix. I don’t think it’s better I just prefer the sound of a tube preamp with a ss amp. I always have. Plus, I have multiple sources and I use the HT bypass feature so that my HT processor can use the same speakers and amp. Would I buy a preamp if I didn’t want tubes and had no need for input switching? Probably not 

I don’t have a preamp and my sound quality is better for it.

@goofyfoot curious your past preamps? 

Simple answer is no you don’t need a preamp to play music through an amplifier.  You just need volume control on the amplifier or source and you’re good to go.  Preamp is exactly what its namesake implies.  It’s just a signal processor between your source and amplifier.  If you have a decent steamer, you should be able to hook straight to your amp.  

I don't understand the question at all if this member is saying he has an integrated amp, because then he is using a preamp. This sounds like an AI question.