Do I really need a preamp?

I second the opinion of Themusicshop, and have looked at the Welborne Labs kit (or assembled) unit he recommends. If you can do a kit, I'd ask Welborne how big the steps are, and negociate about getting different resistors for the kit, so as to make them no larger than 1 db, if they are larger than 1 db. (Typically they're about 2 db in the middle of the range.) If you arrange to have the control go down from 0 db in 1 db steps, you still have 23 db attenuation, which should be plenty for a CD player and halfway typical amp and speakers. You could get info from your manufacturers on how much attenuation you'd be likely to need. Reviewers almost always hate the variable output connection, and I presume with good reason. But if the output stage itself is decent, I disagree that an active preamp is needed for anything.

Well, I've tried wading in from both sides of the pond and think that some good points have been made here both pro and con. If you are running directly into a tube amp, you might get very good results via the variable output. You already have tubes to soften the digital nasties, and many tube amps have high input inpedance, which lends itself to such an application. It would certainly be the cheapest avenue, and possibly the best sounding. In other words you have nothing to lose by trying it out. First hook up the direct variable connection from the CD player to the amp inputs (keep the level low to start), and see how you like the resulting sound quality. The problem, as I see it, is that you will have to disconnect the CD player when you want to use another source. So, what that effectively brings you back to is the compromise of adding a passive preamp to gain volume control and switching for all sources -- in which case you might as well use the more direct fixed output on the CD player into the passive preamp as someone else has already suggested. And yes, that can limit dynamic impact somewhat. But heck, if you like the direct variable input enough (which may add an active output stage internally), then it might be worth disconnecting and reconnecting the player to facilitate the use of all your other sources. As with most comparisons, your ears should aid you in your final decision.

I run my cd player with variable output directly into my SET amp. I love the sound, am very happy, not tempted to put a pre-amp in the path. As the previous poster noted, if you do that and have other sources, you gotta keep switching the interconnects (or else just buy a rotary switchbox). I am really cheap so I just switch the cables!!

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I run my Resolution Audio (variable) outputs directly into
my amp. This works very well. (my Sony ES also does the trick) If you want to add another layer of grunge buy a preamp (with it you will also need anothe pair of cables)
In the end you should trust you ears, as I do mine.