The Best Preamp is no Preamp?

What power amps were you using? 

I think that in the absolute majority of cases a good pre active will bring advantages in sound quality, in addition to being perhaps essential for some systems that need that extra gas besides the volume control. But in my particular case, as I have plenty of power and use exclusively the volume of the HQPlayer software integrated into Roon, in principle I don't need a pre. The decision to use it or not was difficult, but after months of alternating I'm choosing not to use it. Main advantages: absolute background silence, discreet improvement in transparency and focus, without prejudice to dynamics, simplification and greater security in the event of a power failure that has already given me some scares. Normally I need to turn on the pre Don Sachs II tube at least 30 seconds before the amplifier and when turning off always in reverse order. The pre provides a slightly warmer tone. My system: PC with HQP/Roon and modem in another room --- ethernet cable (10m) to audio room with urendu/T+A DAC8 DSD line out (no volume control) to Amp Accuphase P-6100 (which has 4 gain positions). The DAC has 2V/22 ohms out and the Accuphase 20Kohms input and 110 W/c/8 ohms output. Audiopax Mandolin II speakers (91 db sensitivity). 

I removed my preamp, and inserted a volume control. The sound became really better, more clarity. Some people said the increased clarity is something ANALYTICAL. Totally non-sense! So-so grade preamp just simply makes audio signal a little bit dull. If you hear your music more analytical or less full (less bass), then you probably have not hear actual music produced by real performances or concerts. I played Tenor sax, trumpet and flute. The actual sound was ear piercing if you listen them too closely to the players.

Warm sound (a little bass, boomy)? No, that's not actual music, that is modified by audio engineers to make sound smooth. If you have many audio sources (CD, tape, phono preamp, etc), then you need a passive preamp which has only a volume controller and a source selector. I am using a potentiometer (=volume control) between a CD player and a power amp. Sound became really better. It looks like there was a big fabric curtain (between me and speakers), and it was removed!

@r27y8u92 

What is your system? There is a place under your userID to put photos and ID your components.

‘What was your system and what did you swap out?

This would be really helpful to understand your experience.

Well if you want to experiment with a good active preamp it has probably never been cheaper.You can try /buy one of the cheap Chinese clone preamps like the FM Acoustics 155 copies for about $300 on Ali Express.That is s a superb sounding  active preamp in my opinion.It may not improve the sound of every power amp because there are always preamp/power amp synergies  but suspect it will be a considerable improvement on most .I am talking at least $5000 preamp sound quality.The real thing sold for more like $20,000.

I would normally not recommend things like that but for the sake of killing off the myth that the best preamp is no preamp it is arguably justifiable. I believe that is also an older design on which the patent has expired so anybody can copy it.