pre-amp vs dac straight to amps

Aside from jitter, preamp distortion noise and compression is the MOST detrimental thing is most systems IME. Elimination of the pre is a huge win.

Depending on how you do this, however, the results can vary widely. I do not recommend using a standard DAC line-out and then using digital volume to reduce the volume. This will degrade the SQ significantly. I have found that more than about -10dB starts to degrade the SQ. Less than that is okay, but this is not enough to use ONLY digital volume. A combination of manual analog volume and digital volume is fine.

So, the next challenge is finding a DAC with a decent volume control technology. In my book there are only two that are decent: Transformer-based attenuation and D/A reference voltage control. Active gain-control and resistive attenuation dont cut-it.

Steve N.

Greater than 10dB degadation is only with software controlled volume.

Often digital volume circuits in DACs are actually digitally controlled analog circuits. There are many off-the-shelf chips that do this.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

"for me, it's through the preamp that has lots of bass punch and impact!"

This is because your DAC has a high-impedance output stage. Going direct is superior only if the DAC has strong drive on the output stage. OP-amp outputs usually dont cut-it.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Cm - Based on your observations, it is likely that the current drive from the Alpha is not as good as the preamp. The enabler for DAC direct to amps is the DAC output drive.

This is the reason why most passive resistor-based linestages kill dynamics. They reduce drive current.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio