you need to use a cd player w/ volume control. on the low end are units like the marantz cd67, i think cal audio has one or two, then resolution audio 50, a couple others and the wadias. the thing is, to get the best sound you need an excellent volume control(attenuator). thats where the wadias (all of them) excell- all done digitally. none of these options will hurt your system. also the wadias have inputs for other digital sources. good luck.
CD direct to Amp/Current TAS issue ?
In the current issue of the Absolute Sound, the reviewers are asked to put together reccomended systems within certain price ranges (this is a great issue, BTW). One of the reccomended systems has an amp and CD player, but no preamp. The reviewer says something to the effect of "Because the CD player has an analog output level control, a preamp is not required and that money can be put into other areas of the system." Does this work with any CD player/Amp combination as long as the CD has an output level control? Is there any risk of damaging the amp or speakers by using this "no preamp" configuration? Other than being limited to only one input source, are there any drawbacks to going direct to amp? I appreciate any light you can shed on this subject, especially if any of you are actually running your systems in this configuration.