Why not go to a high quality integrated amp and forget this whole discussion? I went to a 300B amp and I've been very happy with the results. Before that I had Maggy 20.1 panels, Manley Neo Classic 250 tube amps, and a Prima Luna Dialogue tube preaamp. My source was a Berkeley DAC (with volume control). For grins I connected my Berkeley DAC directly to the Manleys and I was shocked that I preferred that sound to the preamp! But I like the 300B sound even better.
Should I eliminate my preamp?
I have been using my Audio Research tube preamp and Bryston amp to drive Magnepan speakers for years. Recently I added a Oppo blue ray player to my system and connected directly to my amp using the balance cables. The reason was to eliminate the signal having to go through another piece of equipment before it hits the amp. Am I wrong or what am I missing?