Chris,i little sonic advice needed please reg preamps.if your player has volume control,which alot have now adays,why have a pre in the way if switchgear is not needed.is there a real clear cut answer here.if you put one in just to have one, it must line up quality wise with the rest of your system your putting it in too,right???? any thoughts on this one???? 
Well...Depending on the preamp , it can add or subtract from the sound. When I run a SS amp, I prefer to use a tube preamp for more depth and lush sound. If I run my tube amps, I use a passive preamp. With the hybrid amps....sometimes no preamp at all. I do play cds...cassettes...have a tuner, and a TT....so depends what source I'm using. Then there's TACT...room correction preamps...but I don't own one.
If your using a cdp and a dac....you need a preamp. But simple works too....just cdp and amp.
Like I've said....try different things, see what you like. I like alot of things....therefore I own alot of things....I play musical chairs...equipement switching. Just wish I had a bigger room...its crowded.
Have a good nite Pat....catching a few winks now....almost 5AM here.
Chris
