The Best Preamp is no Preamp?

My system sounds much better with a pre amp in the mix.  I have a PS Audio BHK pre amp, PS Audio DSD Sr. DAC (which has a volume control), and PS Audio BHK250 power amp pushing Tannoy DC8Ti speakers.  About a year ago, I sent the BHK pre in for repair and went straight from the DAC to the BHK250.  My system sounded terrible by comparison. 

I bought a used PS Audio Gain Cell DAC and used it as my preamp until the BHK pre came back.  The Gain Cell DAC sounded fair, but no where near as good as the BHK pre.  

this is a case where specifics drive the outcome, generalities are fun coffee table chatter, but are inconsequential

I think this is gospel.  It all depends. But, as so many above say, typically a great preamp is better than no preamp.  I'm glad this is working for you though. Don't forget about how lucky you are to have stumbled on your no-preamp-situation when you make your next move....I. mean, if you make your next move. :). 

My system sounds much better with a pre amp in the mix. I have a PS Audio BHK pre amp, PS Audio DSD Sr. DAC (which has a volume control), and PS Audio BHK250 power amp pushing Tannoy DC8Ti speakers. About a year ago, I sent the BHK pre in for repair and went straight from the DAC to the BHK250. My system sounded terrible by comparison.

I agree 100%. I have the exact DAC, pre & amp as you, driving Maggie 1.7is with 2 REL subs & the BHK pre transformed the sound. It sounded great with out the pre, but putting that BHK in the chain made it sound amazing.

Granted my sample size is small at only one, but I heard people waxing poetic about no preamp. So I ran my Audiolab 8300CDQ directly to my Aragon Palladium 2 monoblocks. It seemed good. Until I hooked a preamp back up. Holy moley, a ton of detail, separation and soundstage came back. The 8300 has a "class A" preamp section in it with a digital volume control. It could not compete with a preamp.

It was enough of a difference, that I don't plan on not using a preamp again.

exactly, a good pre-amp in the chain always seems to work better.

from my personal experience, DAC direct to Amp sound flat and sometimes the bass just sounds even worse.