Is Pre-Amp needed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=377&v=Dh27E7YKN9s

I guess it depends on your definition. If your DAC/Source has a volume control then you are using a preamp. It may be rudimentary or elaborate but it is nonetheless a preamp. Some Dacs/Sources have exceptional inboard analog preamp circuitry while others may not.

For those that say they prefer the purity of no preamp, they are actually saying that they prefer the sound of THEIR source’s preamp rather than the sound of THEIR source’s preamp run through another outboard preamp.

For those with digital volume controls on their source that they prefer the sound of, they may be truncating the data. In those cases, a source with a digital volume control will typically sound better run at full volume (or the point on the source volume where data is no longer truncated) through a high quality preamp.

I have a $11k retail DAC which has a very nice analog output stage and volume control. It sounds really nice amp direct. It sounds even better through an Audio Research Reference preamp. YMMV.

George, your absolute assertions are not absolute for all equipment. The ARC preamp provides more of everything, especially the layering of instruments. Put a great preamp in your system and see for yourself. If you dont like it then you have only established one data point, yours, not an absolute.