Are Preamplifier’s Relevant Today or just a Hinderance with Digital Playback ?

At this point in my life, I listen less to vinyl and do more streaming. My digital rig sounds really good to me, and while my vinyl rig sounds better it’s not by much. A while back, I was considering selling my Technics 1200G and Herron VTSP-2A(r02) vinyl rig, and giving my 1,200 albums to my son. And I was curious as to how my system would sound without a pre amp.

In my listening room, I’m using a PS Audio BHK pre amp, DirectStream DAC, and BHK250 power amp. Since the DSD has a volume control, I connected it directly to the BHK250 for some A/B listening. The sound was soft and unengaging. So much for that experiment.

I came to my senses and decided to keep my vinyl rig. I’ve heard some amazing streaming systems, but the best I’ve ever head was vinyl, but that system was so far out of my price range I don’t even dream of owing one. I’m just saying .....

@yyzsantabarbara  My streaming path is Cardas Ethernet to an Innous Zenith MK2 via WireWorld USB cable to a Matrix X via a cheap .5 meter HDMI cable to my DAC.  I hear a clear and distinct SQ improvement using the Matrix as opposed to going direct from the Zenith with a USB cable or Ethernet cable to Bridge II.  Ethernet to Bridge II sounds the worst and it only supports up to DSD64.

I’ve procrastinated on buying an “audiophile” grade I2S cable because I like what I hear now.  Having said that, I liked the sound of a NAD M22v2 power amp until I heard the BHK250 in my system.  I’ve been looking at my options and will buy a better HDMI cable soon.  

Fiber optic is somewhat appealing to me, and I’ve researched the OpticalRendu.  I’m not sure the SQ improvement is worth the switch and I have no way of knowing unless I buy the pieces needed to find out.  I never say never, but for now I plan to stick with what I have.