Matt, I recently bought my first DAC and I wanted to use HDMI-arc port out from my Sony Z9D into my Fosi ZD3 DAC...I began experimenting using the DAC's Preamp-RCAs out, to my pair of AIYIMA A07 MAX both set to Mono Mode. With both amp's volume pots wide open and using the DAC's preamp...It sounds pretty good, but just okay, really. Plus, it's very convenient using the DAC's remote control this way. However: In the Bypass setting on the ZD3 DAC, (no preamp) I sacrificed having Remote HDMI-arc control forced to adjust volume controls on the A07s manually...Amazingly, every input (TV, streaming, CD, Blu-ray) becomes more Transparent, Musically exciting, astonishing in that my system could sound so good set this way. Having to get up to adjust volume on both amps+matching balance by ear...kinds sucks....At this point I'm wondering, am I imagining how good it sounds Direct? I went back and forth from the DAC's preamp to DAC's Bypass...back and forth a few times to make sure. Finally Matt, I'm resigned to the Direct connection...even if I'm being less couch-locked, I'm happy my system improved to a large % .