DAC's Streamer and Preamps

Separates.  Always.

In general, that is a very true statement.  Fortunately, there are some exceptions.  Some DACs have pretty decent digital volume controls and sound pretty good running straight into an amplifier (like the Mola Mola Tambaqui for example).  However, a great sounding preamp with a true analog volume control can be better.  Fortunately, you can have your cake and eat it too.  The Mola Mola Makua preamp has the option of a Tambaqui DAC built into it.  That way you have great DAC performance with a true analog volume control.  

brbrock

For me it is always separates.

First as technology improves in a streamer or DAC, I can improve that component without replacing a complete all-in-one bundle

Second, my favorite components are not from the same companies. I prefer tube preamps and my preamp is an Aric Audio Motherlode XL, my new DAC will be from a different producer, and my favorite streamer will be from a third different producer.....and large part of that decision is the software of the streamer

That is not to to say an Aurender/Lumin/Grimm/Weiss/Bricasti/etc can't be amazing; I'm sure they can be

“Some DACs have pretty decent digital volume controls and sound pretty good running straight into an amplifier (like the Mola Mola Tambaqui for example).  However, a great sounding preamp with a true analog volume control can be better.”

@ddgtt - The three issues are:

• whether the DAC’s VC strips bits or has other bad behaviors with more, or less, attenuation
• the quality of the DAC’s VC, and
• the absence of an active stage (i.e., in the absence of an active, even unity gain, stage passives often sound thin, with less tonal color and drive)

A buffer out of the DAC can cure the third issue and allow the use of the DAC’s VC without a drop in sonics.  I can only think of two, in addition of my own unique unit from SMc Audio - the Hattor Tube Buffer (which I have heard and sounds pretty good), and the Modwright (which I haven’t heard).