Kerry - You nailed it when you stated that the answer to your question may not be so simple. It's generally agreed upon that the purest and most transparent signal path should be the simplest which would be without adding the additional circuitry of an active preamp. The volume control implementation in the DAVE is reputed to be excellent and should not suffer from any loss of resolution like some lesser implementations do. I believe that Rob Watts (DAVE's designer) feels strongly that it is best used when connected directly to a power amp, and Chord has some new amp designs which facilitate such a direct connection. However subjectivity enters into the decision here, and there are many users who still prefer their system's sound when their DAC is connected to an active preamp. Comments are usually that it results in a fuller and more dense presentation when an active preamp is used. Some will argue that it's additional pleasing distortion that these listeners prefer and that the direct connection has to be superior. So it may come down to what you choose to believe, an objective technical rational or what your ears and heart tell you sounds better. Only you can make the best decision in your specific situation given your individual preferences and expectations. Like you said there's not always a simple definitive answer when it comes to high end audio!
