What improvements would I get with a "better" preamp?

Thank you all for interesting advice. I had a few different NOS 12SN7 tubes available but they all seemed a bit too light/polite. I was about to begin searching for different NOS 6SN7 tubes when I spied a used preamp for sale which caught my interest. I ended up purchasing it, a Unison Research Unico Hybrid Preamp. Hybrid as it uses a pair of 12AU7s on input, but ss on output. At the reduced price I paid I figured I could resell if it didn’t work out. I’ve only been able to listen to it once so not yet able to comment. I really like what I hear, but it requires more time to evaluate. One advantage over the Mapletree: it has a remote! But, just my luck, my stupid CD player remote’s Next Track button also increases the preamp’s volume! Argh! Now I have to do math while listening! Ugh!

Right before proceeding with a tube buffer or tube preamp for my first rig, I came across a deal on another solid-state preamp, the Denafrips Hestia. I had heard several positive reviews from reviewers I trust, so I pulled the trigger based on a leap of faith. Previously, I had been running the system with the Schiit Saga 2.

The Hestia features a unity-gain volume control and does not include voltage gain stages like the Saga 2. To avoid having too little usable range on the volume control, I intentionally connected the Harmony Micro DAC to the Hestia using an XLR-to-RCA cable to tap the 2V line-level signal, while using Veritas XLR cables to connect the Hestia to my balanced amplifier.

The result has been highly satisfying. The sound is noticeably more dynamic, with better imaging and separation, smoother and more liquid treble, a bolder midrange, and bassier low end. The soundstage remains similar in width but is taller and deeper. Two particularly significant improvements worth mentioning are: first, clearer and more natural cymbals; and second, a more even sound-pressure contour at low listening volumes.

Some people may prefer a sweeter midrange, but a bolder midrange may better preserve the character of male vocals. So far, the digital glare present in some recordings seems to have been toned down, resulting in less listening fatigue. The Schiit Saga 2 has officially retired from my first rig.

Coming from a McIntosh C22 MKIV to my Cary Audio SLP-05 I get-

*A more enjoyable, refined and lovable sound- golden and slightly euphonic.

*Much taller and more precise sound stage.

*Superior dynamics and jump factor, life like note bursts.  

*Midrange to die for.