I'm using my DAC direct to amps right now. I like the sound both through my preamp and direct to amps. The direct route seems to be just a bit more lively to me plus it is 140 watts less power and time on tubes not using my tube preamp. This DAC/preamp also uses tubes and even has analog inputs available. It has a very good and quiet output stage. I'm planning to try my phono preamp into the DAC/preamp to see how the sound compares to my regular preamp. But this whole thing is a lot of change and I'm not liking change as much as I used to. Funny how old age affects us. Maybe in a few years I won't remember how the DAC sounds direct or through a preamp. I've gotten used to using Roon instead of spinning CDs or Vinyl. I keep thinking I could eliminate a lot of components but on the other hand that would be change...
DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER
For the longest time, I believed that the best preamplifier is no preamplifier. Eliminating a component from the audio chain would yield less distortion & greater purity.
Recently, I have had reason to re-think my logic on the matter - and I am (I think) changing my mind. Better said, assuming that the preamplifier in the component you are using (in my case, a DAC) can produce 95% or greater quality sound compared to the preamplifier component, then no preamplifier is the best option. The 5% represents the (estimated) loss of fidelity in adding another set of interconnects.
That said, most DACs do not have an outstanding preamplifier built in. I think most have average passive attenuators, and the better DACs have active preamplifiers that are very good - but not as good as a quality preamplifier.
What are your thoughts?