You don't say what make and model of preamp is involved. Buffering in an analog circuit is usually done to make a circuit more tolerant of difficult load situations. (This is different than digital buffering, where data is accumulated in a memory chip and then parceled out to a device or program as needed.)
In your case it sounds like the preferred circuit is the unbuffered one, but that it doesn't tolerate the added resistance or capacitance of a long interconnect. In that case, the extra stage of devices (the buffer circuit) may offer the better compromise in terms of sonic degradation.
In your case it sounds like the preferred circuit is the unbuffered one, but that it doesn't tolerate the added resistance or capacitance of a long interconnect. In that case, the extra stage of devices (the buffer circuit) may offer the better compromise in terms of sonic degradation.