is there likely a quality-of-sound difference between utilizing maximum gain (say, out of a CD player, to keep it a simple scenario) and needing much less amplification from your amp, or is it in any way different to set your CD gain/output volume at a lower level and let your amp do its job? Let’s say balanced connections, so that’s added gain as well.
If the balanced connection supports AES48, the balanced line standard, there may be no difference of signal level between balanced and single-ended.
The newer more sophisticated digital volume control systems are a bit better at resolution. Older ones cause a loss of resolution as you turn them down since bits are subtracted.
This is why there is a market of line stage preamps since they often have better volume controls as well as often are able to minimize cable interactions better than most sources.