Reddit mentions of Nobsound Mini Fully-Balanced/Single-Ended Passive Preamp; Hi-Fi Pre-Amplifier; XLR/RCA Volume Controller for Active Monitor Speakers (Silver)

I've got a pair of Elac UB5s driven by an Emotiva A-300, been running my PC through my Yulong DAC into my system which was worked out nicely using the volume controls on my PC

I've just bought a new TV and would like to hook it up to the system as well for movies and gaming, except I don't currently have a pre amp for volume control. How high end do I need to go here? I've been looking at a cheap option like this: https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Fully-Balanced-Single-Ended-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01M4I9EOK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 with very basic volume control, but I know pairing it up with another Emotiva component, like the PT-100 pre amp is going to be superior https://emotiva.com/products/pt-100 .

Question is, how superior are we talking here? Will shelling out an extra $250 bucks be worth it in this case? I have to imagine the answer is yes, but can anyone tell me why? (Besides. obviously, quality components etc...)

Thanks!

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Looking at getting this nobsound pre-amp volume control.

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Balanced-Passive-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01M4I9EOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505992642&sr=8-1&keywords=preamp+volume

I don't want to support schiit so I'm not getting the sys, and this seems to be better built, looks nicer and you can switch between 2 sets of xlr and rca interchangeably. It's also a few bucks cheaper after you factor shipping.

You think it's a good buy or is there anything else ya can recommend?

This one has both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA in and out connections. It looks good and has a big knob.

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Balanced-Passive-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01M4I9EOK/

Edit: this is assuming that you don't need a headphone output on it.

Currently I use this as my chain:

PC (optical out) > Gumby > Nobsound passive preamp > Minidsp DDRC-24 > Emotiva BasX A-150 > JBL Studio 530.

I'm not really a big believer in preamps as you can tell. In rank of what made the biggest difference for my speakers I'd say:

1. Minidsp (holy shit dirac is amazing)
   
2. A-150
   
3. Gumby
   
4. Nobsound
   
   I don't think you'll gain much benefit from adding a headphone amp with a "good" pre, especially since you'll be getting Stax. I feel like your money would be much better spent putting it towards things that will actually affect the sound, like a better dac for Stax/speakers, DSP, or maybe a subwoofer.

You could also look at this: https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Balanced-Passive-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01M4I9EOK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494459248&sr=8-3&keywords=passive+preamp it has xlr ins and outs.

Why can't you control the volume from your PC? Or get a passive preamp volume control?
I just got the email from massdrop that the anniversary edition is on sale for $179 which is a crazy good deal!!

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/aune-x1s-32bit-384-dsd128-mini-dac?mode=guest_open&utm_campaign=Drop%3A%20Request%20Launched&utm_source=SparkPost&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Drop%3A%20Request%20Launched&utm_content=1542981985369.113014272421795702208054&referer=C4FJU9&utm_content=1542981985369.113014272421795702208054


Nobsound Mini Fully-Balanced/Single-Ended Passive Preamp; Hi-Fi Pre-Amplifier; XLR/RCA Volume Controller for Active Monitor Speakers (Silver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4I9EOK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JKc-BbMRANFEQ