Running DCS Vivladi DIRECT?

@folkfreak

Yup - ARC preamps tend to add depth to the Soundstage. I have heard the difference myself on an ARC Ref 6. I think the tubes do it as my Mcintosh tube preamp does the same vs SS. I know there is added harmonics (in minuscule quantity with ARC) and McIntosh is even more lush or warm than ARC. At the end of the day it is what works for the listener - lose some resolution but gain some musicality!

@charles1dad 

   +1 it doesn’t get much better than this...I bet both sound sublime yet one will be preferred by a listener.

It could simply be that a tube preamp sounds sweeter and more polished and smooth and therefore is preferred by folkfreak to the Vivaldi directly. In this case, both George and folkfreak are right for different reasons. The Vivaldi output has nothing limiting about it (as measurements suggest) but the sweeter tube sound is preferred for system synergy and listener preference....

George is probably right in this particular case. The Vivaldi performance into a punishing 600 ohms load is about as perfect as I have ever seen. Even a broken watch can be right twice a day ;-)