To preamp or not to preamp?...that is the question

Avoid using CD volume controls that do it in the digital domain. Use ones with analog controls, or use a passive preamp with any CD player. This is tricky because of the impedance of the passive preamps with resistive volume controls. If you pick a passive preamp with transformer volume controls, such as Bent Audio or Silver Rock, you will not have this problems with impedance.

Zaikesman, I agree. I have made this test with both phono and CD, with my highly modified MFA Magus preamp. There is no doubt that using, in my case, the tape outputs, which bypassed the attenuators and line stage main output, was much more detailed and better, than using the main outs. The attenuators are largely responsible for this, but the line stage plays a part in it too. This is why I am going to get a Bent Audio transformer passive, and put it after my preamp, using the tape outs instead of the main outs. I had considered getting a resistive-element passive pre, but the impedance problems are too much. The transformer passive pre, has a much better impedance relationship, and is more transparent than any resistive attenuators. Even Caddocks.