Eversolo DMP A6 with or without preamp

Yes, I turned the analog volume setting to max when feeding it into the preamp.

Btw, the Eversolo volume bypass mode has to be turned on if you want to use it preamp with it. I am new to all of this, and at first couldn’t get it to work with my preamp. 

Direct feed into the amp sounds more clear and transparent.  I don’t have a mic to precisely adjust the volumes for an equal comparison, but that’s what it sounds like to me. I am also going to play around different interconnects. Maybe that’s also the problem. 

I have gone back and forth with trying dacs straight to amps, and with preamps. Straight into the amp always sounds different,  not necessarily better,  depends on the dac . Some will sound good at first,  then you realize it doesn't really have the drive a real preamp provides. 

So a dac needs a good preamp section,  which  a lot of cheaper dacs doesn't have. 

Direct feed into the amp sounds more clear and transparent.

Shocker.  That’s exactly why I recommended trying some more neutral/transparent tubes.  You can play with wires and tubes if you want, but it sure sounds like too much thick Mac syrup in your system and the A6 is giving you a needed dose of transparency and fresh air when combined with your amp.  If you can, try something like an ARC, Linear Tube Audio, or Backert tube preamp in your system and you may be very positively surprised as they’ll all offer much more than the A6 could ever hope to as a preamp — as they well should.  I think the A6 gave you a small glimpse into the improvements you could have in store, and I’d recommend pursuing that further as there’s clearly (pun intended) something there. 

Thanks for all the great advice. 

I'm going to order some Telefunken tubes for the C2300 (highly recommended on the forums and why not) but also give the preamp more time for my ears to adjust. Never know how it's going to end up but should be a lot of fun with lots of different variations.