I have a tube amp and a tube preamp. When I run the system without the preamp the sound is awful. For others this may not be the case. I don't think that the length of the signal path has anything to do with sound quality. Some folks swear by a short signal path. They might change their mind if they A/B-ed systems where adding a preamp clearly improves the sound quality.
Thoughts on the Signal Path
There are those who stick to the notion -- no matter what -- that adding length to the signal path must be a negative for SQ, ipso facto. I am wondering about this in light of the fact that so many people say that using a preamp improves the sound of their system.
Your thoughts on the signal path?
Your thoughts on the signal path?