For sure an active preamp is better then
a passive gain stage on a dac or Cd player with a volume control.andanother point the oppo has a few hundred dollars in parts speaking of the 205 .you get what you pay for.a active preamp has much bigger power supplies and much better
dynamics,also much more $$. I have owned all types and owned a Audio store for years ,any good active preamp will give you a bigger more stable performance.
vacuum tube preamps enhance the performance further still.
a passive gain stage on a dac or Cd player with a volume control.andanother point the oppo has a few hundred dollars in parts speaking of the 205 .you get what you pay for.a active preamp has much bigger power supplies and much better
dynamics,also much more $$. I have owned all types and owned a Audio store for years ,any good active preamp will give you a bigger more stable performance.
vacuum tube preamps enhance the performance further still.