Connecting External DAC's and Pre-Amps to Hegel Integrated Amplifiers?

Thanks for your suggestions.

After experimenting a bit - I was able to do the following:

1. Connect an external DAC to the Rt and Lft channels of the H590 - which did improve the sound quality over the internal DAC, quite a bit (a Schitt Yggdrasil OG).

2. Connect the Bryston BDP 3 to the H590 via a BNC cable - which sounds good, but not as great as the Yggdrasil OG (which has more of a live "tube-like" sound).

3. Connect the ARC 5Se Tube Pre-amp to the analog XLR connections of the H590. However - that seems to function with both the external pre-amp and internal pre-amp operating simultaneously (the volume controls function for both at the same time). While it sounds good... It doesn’t seem to sound as clear as with just the internal SS pre-amp of the H590, or as the ARC 5Se Tube Pre-amp does with my other speakers.

I’ll confirm with Hegel in Oslo.

By the way... the H590 seems to enhance the quality of the sound from the Maggies by a factor of 100% - just amazing clarity and control, improving the resolution, dynamics, bass, soundstage, imaging, etc. Improving the bass to the point that you can feel it, and it rattles the windows - very deep, tight and big - very much like box speakers.  And... that's just with the LRS+, which now sounds like the OCD HiFi Guy described them on YouTube - as good as some of best speakers at any price.  I'll have to see if they do the same for my Magnestand 1.6 Maggies.

Hegel just responded saying that the HT mode sets the Hegel pre-amp to a "fixed high level" volume of 85 (85% of the maximum volume of the H590) - which is very likely too high, when the ARC 5se is even set to 0 (100% attenuation).  

I don't understand why the "fixed high level" of the H590 would be set so high - except that its designed to be used with a HT receiver or integrated amp, which power / volume may be much lower and the a volume level of 85 from the H590 spread over 3-7 speakers, might not be too much for them to handle.  

In any case, it's beginning to appear that it may not be a good idea to use a tube pre-amp with the H590 via the HT mode - too much of a risk to my speakers.  

I've already tried the combo by just adjusting the volume of both pre-amps to drive the speakers safely - using both pre-amps simultaneously.  The sound was fine, but much better when I just used the H590 pre-amp alone.  

Thanks again...

OK - thanks for your guidance.  

Hegel's guidance is more or less the same as above.  

As I read these comments and the Hegel guidance I am concerned that I might risk damaging the speakers - if - I understand correctly.

Hegel says the following:

Set the Hegel to HT (Home Theater) mode setting, which I think sets the volume to "fixed high level" (99-100) with no attenuation.  I would think this would risk damaging the speakers - even if - the ARC 5se is set to 0.  

Or... does... the HT mode set the Hegel Pre-amp to "fixed high level" (from the source) and 0 gain / full attenuation of the Hegel Pre-amp?  If so, then the ARC 5se would control the entire volume level without risk to the speakers - I would think.  

I'm thinking "Fixed High Level" in Hegel's terms surely means "Fixed High Level" from the source.  Maybe????

I agree - if I want to use a tube pre-amp, it would be far simpler and safer to drive an amp which is not integrated.  But, this is what I've got.  I do have the ARC 150se tube amp... which I've tried... but... I want to see what the Hegel sounds like with a tube pre-amp.  

Thanks... again...