My experience on this topic was with mid-fi, and about 15 years ago. Therefore, I'm not sure how relevant it will be to anyone.
1. 1990 Yamaha CD changer, single chip MASH and variable output.
2. Carver CT-17 preamp, tuner and prologic (remember that?) processor.
This was before my Martin Logans, back in 1991. Was using back then some small box speaker with separate bass units, and Rotel amps.
The Carver preamp went into the shop a year after I purchased it, the tuning circuit failed - got fixed for free. In the couple of weeks it took to get it fixed I set up the CD player directly to the main amp.
The results were interesting; it was as if a heavy drape or curtain had been removed from the speakers. The speakers themselves had no grille cloth (non-removable perforated metal), but the experience was as if some terrible decorative late 1970's Radio Shack loudspeaker grille had been removed.
A; Top end sparkle was extended.
B: More detail at all frequencies.
The results of this experiment was that I became dissatisfied with my preamp, but because I was in Graduate school and charging up my credit card with living expenses was unable to do anything about this bottleneck for many years.
............trust your ears as roberto has said.
