I have owned and checked out quite a few DAC's and tried them all direct and via a pre-amp. Which is better varies on the DAC and I can find no commonality to give a definite answer - you need to suck it and see.
I personally haven't noticed on the DAC's that are better direct connected greater than 10db volume reduction led to an degradation in quality. I well recall checking this out on a very transparent reference system (using the reference DAC of that system - a PDX which does sound better direct connected) with some very experienced audiophiles and none of us could detect a difference with any amount of volume reduction.
Again my suggestion is to check it out for yourself.
Thanks
Bill
I personally haven't noticed on the DAC's that are better direct connected greater than 10db volume reduction led to an degradation in quality. I well recall checking this out on a very transparent reference system (using the reference DAC of that system - a PDX which does sound better direct connected) with some very experienced audiophiles and none of us could detect a difference with any amount of volume reduction.
Again my suggestion is to check it out for yourself.
Thanks
Bill