Why preamp "helps?"


Hi, first-time poster.  I'm sure it's been discussed ad nauseum, somewhere, but here goes.

I have a couple of digital pieces with built-in volume control/attenuation (e.g., Oppo 95 and Cary DAC200ts).

In monkeying with the components, I find that I prefer to have preamps in the chain--whether they are tube or solid state.  In two of the setups, a preamp would be entirely un"necessary."

It just doesn't quite make logical sense to me that putting another component in the chain with the extra "stuff" and cabling that the signal goes through would or should sound "better."  Seems logical that having a more direct signal to the amps should be an "improvement."  Sure, the tubes do their thing, but, in a secondary/tertiary system, even for an Emotiva solid state preamp?

I'm not trying to start some sort of debate, but any thoughts on why or how a typical, arguably superfluous, preamp makes it "better?"

Thank you.


stfoth

Showing 3 responses by kalali

Your first statement was absolutely correct. This topic has been discussed ad nauseam. And, the jury is still out....
Is this my imagination or I have read the same exact posts on at least two other threads, within the past couple of months? So, for the sake of completeness and while we are throwing quotes from Mr. Pass, let me remind everyone the Pass Labs makes some of the most sought after and expensive (solid state) preamplifiers in the market today. Not a single passive, of course excluding the (First Watt) B5 that is just a buffer.
I have owned a Schiit Sys for several months now and it works as advertised. Its basically a two input switch with a volume control, adds nothing and removes nothing as long as you keep the interconnects very short and don't mind the small size of the volume control. No brainer for $49.