Some CD players (e.g., my Raysonic CD 128) sound fabulous through an active linestage and pretty dismal through a passive or straight into a power amp. I would definitely experiment and not prejudge the result. Dave
Will adding a preamp dramatically change my sound?
You can link to my system below, but basically it is a Cary CD player with internal analog volume control direct to a Spectron Musician II amplifier into Totem Forest Speakers, with quality cables and power cords. Honestly I don't feel anything is lacking, but still find myself getting curious about what effect a preamp would have. Anyone have any experience going from a CD direct to amplifier, and later adding a preamplifier? To what result?