Do I even need a dedicated stereo preamp?

There seems to be some confusion here: yes, digital volume controls degrade sound but: no, you don’t need a preamp. Dacs operate with 2+V RCA and 4+V XLR output. Unless your amp has unusually high impedance that is plenty sufficient for a high quality analogue, i.e. passive attenuator, either built into the DAC or stand alone.

All a pre could add is distortion in that configuration. Pre amps were initially designed to boost low output from phono amps and attenuate. The former function doesn’t exist any more in digital music reproduction

I posted earlier about the HPA4 | LA4 | Serene preamps that I have all owned. Well, I finally found a DAC that I like direct to amp, and I bought it and I am selling the HPA4 (on head-fi). 

The former function doesn’t exist any more in digital music reproduction

@antigrunge2     This statement is false. The output level that any digital device is designed for is 2 Volts as defined by redbook. 

That was a bad move on Sony and Phillips' part since that means the signal will always have to be knocked down to a lower level to be usable. 

One of the functions of an active line stage that is poorly understood is that of controlling artifacts in the interconnect cable. Passive devices fail in that regard but sometimes you get lucky and hit on a combination of cables that sort of works. That' s why you see this argument going on and on.

The argument also goes on and on because some line sections are not very good at controlling the cable or just aren't very good. 

If you've ever auditioned cables to see which is better and heard a difference, that is the artifact I'm talking about. Some preamps can eliminate that entirely.

@atmasphere 

Dear Ralph,

I am a great fan of your products and posts here on A’gon. Your comment doesn’t allow for a quality relay attenuator built  into the DAC nor low impedance connections to a standalone pot, though.Can you pls elaborate further on what a pre does under those premises?