[ninjikiran]

So the question is, should I go with a decent receiver(new or vintage) or grab something anything that can output as a pre-amp.
 
See problem is my dac seems to have a strong output which is effecting my effective range of volume with my A5's so it would be helpful if I could lower that before it reaches the sspeakers but after its been taken out of the digital step.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Aren't the A5s active speakers? I'm not sure if a preamp would help.

 

[ninjikiran]

They are, and they do have their own volume control built in.  Problem is I want to lower it slightly before it reaches the A5's so I have more range of control or vice versa.
 
Push the A5's to their 40-50% mark and control volume from the pre.