DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER

@lanx0003 

but I really wish someone could explain exactly which elements, components or interactions in the gears contribute to better synergy.  Impedance matching is just a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition.

I believe the answer, at least when it comes to a tube pre, is harmonics, evens vs. odds, and that nasty word, distortion. 

Perhaps along the same lines that many prefer the vocals of Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, or Joe Cocker over someone with perfect pitch and tone, like Celine Dion, who sounds too perfect and therefore unexciting and boring? 

The synergy between my Gryphon Essence preamp and amp are too good to break up even with my MSB Premier DAC!  Once everything is warmed up the sound is amazing.  I love the idea of streamlining the signal path, but this is a case where less is NOT more.  If you have a cheap preamp with a sub-par design, I say lose it and go direct to your amp. 

On another note (or perhaps perspective?). I do know a fellow audiophile who has gone with a streamlined setup including the Pink Faun player, to an MSB Reference DAC to MSB mono-blocks and he’s VERY happy.  He also previously had a Gryphon preamp and Gryphon amp behind his DAC.  I think there is a synergy aspect to consider here.  If you can find a DAC with a quality pre built in, that’s designed to work with the same brands amps, you could have a perfect solution. 

I weigh the cost beyond the dac itself: space/shelf for it, power cord, IC, footers, all of which can easily cost an extra $1000+++

Knowing that from owning several separate dac/pres I was excited to finally buy a Audio Alchemy DDP 1- and 5 months later the optional outboard PS (a very big deal) 3+ years later, nothing could replace its sound/$$$ at 3Xs the MSRP $1700

Do a search for TAS review of it with their class D amps

I've tried both ways and a preamp always makes things better.