Connect the DAC directly to the amp and ditch the preamp if your system is purely digital. You should be able to achieve greater transparency because you removed the coloration from the additional interconnects, component, and power cord.
Control volume with DAC or Preamp?
My DAC (PS Audio Directstream) has a volume control and so does my preamp(Benchmark), of course. What’s the best way to control the volume of my system to get optimum sound...turn the dac to maximum volume and use the preamp to make adjustments , turn the preamp to maximum and use the DAC for adjustments, turn each of them up part way? Or does it not make a difference?