I think my next purchase is going to be a nice USB DAC with variable balanced outs so I can also use it as a volume control and bypass my preamp. I've been using my preamp (GFP-750) in passive mode since I bought it 10 years ago so I might as well just bypass it. I have read some VERY positive opinions from people running DACs directly into my speakers. I've always been a purist so this is probably the sound I would really dig. I know you get better bass WITH a preamp, but, for me, the pros are WAY to long on the passive side (MUCH less haze, deeper darker background, MUCH more space between instruments) than on the active side. There are a couple (Lavry/Benchmark) that now offer remote volume options that I have been eying.
