I've been looking at upgrading my speaker cables. So, was playing around with my system setup last week. I've an Audio Research Pre and Power amp and a DCS Bartok DAC.
I listened to this with the AR Pre in and out of the system. Getting the volume equal was a bit of work. The most obvious difference with the preamp in vs out was with the presentation of the soundstage. It was much better defined and spacious, with the preamp in.
So, if you have a DAC that has volume control, no you don't need a preamp. Depending on your system, you may find that a preamp adds a lot!
I listened to this with the AR Pre in and out of the system. Getting the volume equal was a bit of work. The most obvious difference with the preamp in vs out was with the presentation of the soundstage. It was much better defined and spacious, with the preamp in.
So, if you have a DAC that has volume control, no you don't need a preamp. Depending on your system, you may find that a preamp adds a lot!