First, to disclose that I manufacture and market audio cables.
Each interface, cdp to receiver, receiver to amp, presents a different signal transmission problem for a cable to solve. So it is possible for an IC to work well between cdp and preamp and not so well between preamp and amp.
For example the preamp might have a lower output impedence than the cdp (often the case). An IC with highish characteristic impedence will likely pick up more noise when used after the preamp than after the cdp. An IC with lowish characteristic impedence may work ell after the preamp but have phase anomolies if used after the cdp.
Some people will tell you that for short interconnects the issues I have raised will not be audible. With respect, I disagree with that view. Almost every difference in the design of a cable seems to be audible when it comes to transmission between audio components. Some of it fits the theory (such as transmission line theory) and our disagreements are about whether the issues will be audible, and that comes down to your own ears and judgement.
Sonia