I have compared the Capitole II run direct vs. through a pre amp and have always prefered direct. Pre amps I have tried include, CJ ART seriesII, BAT- VK50se, Aesthetix IO signature w/dual power supply and volume control, and more that are slipping my mind at this time. I find that resolution and transparency are effected the most. This may sound foolish but a lot of what's special about the capitole II is lost when run through a preamp, i.e. the ability to listen for hours upon hours with no desire to stop. Don't have a clue why but I don't mess with what works!