Romulus CD player--

Grannyring, You know I am a fan of the Romulas, maybe you have not found the best direct to amp set-up yet, look at Mattnshilp's thread, The absolute best for top tier redbook dac, you will see Guidocorona sold the Top model Roland pre-amp to use the Roland Aeris dac with Volume control to use straight to his amp, I wonder why he did that?, I understand what may work for him may not work for you, Guidocorna may be on to something.

Kana813, Do you have a signature Romulas with volume control running direct to a amp?

I have owned the best direct and tried it many, many, many times.....it will
never do for me. I must have a top flight TUBE preamp or too much is lost
IMHO.

I am reading that DAC thread. I see G sold his top flight SS pre and that is
good for him. He likes a certain type of sound that may well be different
than my preferences. I don't like Class D amps and he seems fond of them.
I would see why he likes going preless.

When will people come the realization that we all hear differently and have different taste.This topic comes up over and over again the source to amplifier versus the insertion of a preamplifier.
There will always be differences of opinions because we all hear differently .In my opinion a first rate tube preamp is an absolute mandatory necessity other people simply don't feel that way. So be it.

So many variables and it comes down to personal preference; I tried going pre-less but preferred the full sound my tube pre provided.