No I don't think it true at all. What gives a PrePro it's "character" in addition to the DAC is the quality of the analog output stage or the PREamp part of PrePro. So even if you are only using it as a volume control you are still using the Analog Preamp of the device. That's not to say the Anthem or Lexicon are better, I happen to think the 990 has a pretty darn good analog section, especially compared to the 950.