Actually SoGood also answers the question in favor of preamps.
You have to spend what he calls "big bucks" to improve over a well designed passive volume control.
Note first the volume control has to be well made/designded. Note also that if you have the bucks to spend a preamp is better even in his opinion.
I personally also want/need a preamp. I just don't listen only to CD's. Also a lot of CD's are poorly engineered. The good preamp will make those CDs sound better than the raw data.
You have to spend what he calls "big bucks" to improve over a well designed passive volume control.
Note first the volume control has to be well made/designded. Note also that if you have the bucks to spend a preamp is better even in his opinion.
I personally also want/need a preamp. I just don't listen only to CD's. Also a lot of CD's are poorly engineered. The good preamp will make those CDs sound better than the raw data.