DACs With Killer Built-In Preamps


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I see a lot of DACs with volume controls with the ability to act as a preamp. The Audio Research Reference Dac/Digital Media Bridge ($15k) has a volume control and a lot of innards of its Reference 5SE preamp...which makes for a very serious preamp section on that DAC.

Are there any DACs with voulume controls under $7k that can compete with top-tier preamps?
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128x128mitch4t
In my experience , the more things a preamp can do , the more the sound is compromised .
I'm a huge fan of the Perreaux Audiant DP32 - massively adaptable, great sound and built like a tank. Havent found anything that fully compares in the same price range. Just my .02
@ Grannyring,, Hi, I just bought a Ayon 2s player running direct to amp, still burning in the unit, does not sound bad at all, not exactly my cup of tea of choice of tubes, 6h30 x4,, I am very currious about your expertise with audio!,, The main reason I am running direct to amp is because my I/c is A Taralabs Zero Gold, Retail, $15,000.00 a meter!,, I cannot afford to get another one for a pre-amp, LOL!, I have read this entire thread and liked it and the gentlemen here, I do not know anything about the Eximus DP1, Or Dude pre-amp, I would like to ask, can you elaborate more on these 2 products?,, I am not sure if I want to keep the Ayon 2s permently in my main system, The Ayon Sounds good, I like 12ax7 and 12au7 type tubes sound alot, different, the 6h30 and the 12ax7 sound from each other, both have good qualitys,,, I am using A Krell 700cx for An amplifier, Thankyou, cheers!
The Ayon is a very nice player and enjoy it! The Dude is simply the finest sounding preamp on the planet based on my experience with all manner of preamps. It simply play s music with the scale and ease one hears in a great live setting. If you like your music served up with a huge and dynamic presentation with an ease one expects at live venues, then this this preamp is it!

The Eximus is very lively sounding with great energy and excitement. Not dull at all.