Tweakaudio.com manufactures two models of the Ultimate Attenuators for either tube or transistor amplifiers. They attach directly onto the amp RCA input jacks so no interconnect needed. Ric Schultz is the designer. Thirty day trial offered on these custom made pairs, with $350 list price. On my systems these allowed excellent sound upgrade for either tube or transistor amps. If you check the archived Audiogon comments from myself and other Ultimate Attenuator fans then you will surely be intrigued. You need a really enjoyable amp since you get to hear all it is doing for the first time.
Preamps. Do we really need them?
I've been shopping for a new preamp lately, reading the forums, etc. If I have only one source, a DAC into which all my digital components feed into, do I really need a preamp and not just a volume control. After all, that's all I really need from a preamp. I've heard about passive rigs that just control volume, or attenuate it. I understand that you lose some volume if, the source's output isn't enough to drive the amp staight. I'm willing to make that sacrifice.