How to use a preamp?

[Kevin]

This might be a rudimentary question, but I seem to be having trouble finding an answer...

I've been thinking about using potentially adding a preamp to my system, but I'm not entirely sure how to use one... For example, I would have volume control with every device: DAC, preamp, and amp. What volume should I set everything at? From what I could find so far, people tend to leave the amp at max volume and use the preamp as the primary volume control?

Any guidance would be much appreciated!

[oguinn]

I use a Quickie pre-amp for a little gain and as a source control. Following advice I got on this forum, I leave the pre-amp at 100% and use the amp’s volume control.

[borism]

I am not sure why you feel the need for a preamp. However, if you have multiple volume controls I would use only one to control volume and leave the other(s) fully open. That volume control I'd use would be the highest quality one. For example a discrete resistor stepped attenuator vs a lower quality potentiometer. Finally, it may just be what sounds best to you.

[HF9]

It doesn't sound like you need a preamp, just a passive switchbox if you need to switch between multiple devices. Preamps aren't really necessary with most modern electronics as they already have enough gain and don't need another stage of it, you'd just end up with more "stuff" in the signal path. Audiophiles use pre-amps in conjunction with monoblocks as the monoblocks don't have volume control or selectable inputs. For many people, an integrated amp that has both channels, volume control and multiple inputs makes more sense than monoblocks as the cost is lower and it takes up less room.