Should I eliminate my preamp?

I switched from using a DAC direct to my power amplifiers to a preamp and never looked back. The addition of a preamp substantially improved my sound quality st all levels. It was a “huge improvement”. 

However, as was stated above, it is possible that going direct maybe thd best but I do not know your system.  All my testing proved to me that a preamp, in my system, produced the best sound by a huge margin. You might have to test some combinations in your system to see what you like.

As as you can see from the above posts, everyone, it seems, has a different opinion.  If possible, j suggest you demo with and without a preamp and see what you like.  I did this testing and purchased a preamp. 

Using a passive I know in my case that there is a real noticeable difference when I go from a 1 meter cable to a half of meter cable. I has a fuller more complete sound when I use a half a meter cable no matter which the five brands I have to try.

Using a passive I know in my case that there is a real noticeable difference when I go from a 1 meter cable to a half of meter cable.

If you hear this difference in length, either your interconnects are high capacitance or your passive or source is high output impedance.

Cheers George

Looking at your very nice system
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/2186

Your D100 dac is no problem at 2v and 100ohms into the Lightspeed. And that at 2.5kohms using the 1mt of VH First at  61pF/mt is -3db at 1mhz!!. And your Belles Ref 150A needs only 1.4v in for full output at 100kohm input impedance which is no problem.

Looking at all this you have a prefect match up I can't see how there can be a difference between 1m or 1/2m of the VH First???

Cheers George

It really depends on how well the line out is on a unit. My Esoteric K-01 using the line out function is superb. It really shows how good the K01 is. But I need the preamp to power my sub which I cannot do without it. So a preamp gives you lots of flexibility, if I did not need that I could leave with the K-01 directly to my amp. In fact if I had full range speakers I would not need the sub and I would use the line out of the K-01. It's world  class.