What exactly do you like about the MHA 100? You already aren’t using the DAC and now want to skip the pre as well. If you decide to use a separate pre then you’ll still be running through the MHA pre section if I understand the unit correctly. If instead you used the pre out on the MHA into a power amp you would avoid redundancy. I’m not saying a preamp won’t help. There are as many exceptions as rules, but in general, extra stages of gain and attenuation are likely to do more harm than good.
I’m not familiar enough with what you have now and what you’re looking for to gauge what type of improvement you’ll gain or even what your budget is. Give it a think and make a plan. Even if you can’t buy it all at once, at least you’ll know where you’re headed.
I’m not familiar enough with what you have now and what you’re looking for to gauge what type of improvement you’ll gain or even what your budget is. Give it a think and make a plan. Even if you can’t buy it all at once, at least you’ll know where you’re headed.