A preamp should not make your cd player/system sound better. If it does, then something is wrong with output/input compatibility of your cdp and amp. Having said that, a high quality attenuator (like the Placette) is really all you need.
Unless I needed more power, I would rather put the money I would have spent on the preamp into the cdp.
Unless I needed more power, I would rather put the money I would have spent on the preamp into the cdp.