2 channel Preamp or Pass on the PRE???

I started out going direct. Now have a ARC LS15 pre and could not be happier. The tube pre made my solid state amp.

Another big consideration is the quality of the volume control on the CD player. If this is not of high quality it will degrade the sound and will largely if not more than offset the benefits of skipping the preamp. I'm not familiar with your Marantz CD player, but I'd be suspect of the quality of any CD player's volume control priced under $3000. I'd echo what albertporter said and mention that this is obviously a very system-dependent issue, but if I were you I'd at least try a couple high-end preamps(Pass Labs, Ayre, ARC, etc.) to see what happens in your system. I might also try an Audio Aero Capitole run directly to the amp in your system to see if that makes a bigger difference than adding a preamp--lots of people seem to like going that route. Best of luck.

Tim

I use direct setup and I could not be happier. Here my system components.

Wadia 7 transport
Wadia 9 DA
Mark Levinson No.20.6 Monoblocks
Mark Levinson No.23.5 Dual Monaural Amps
Wilson Watts/Puppy 5.1
Wadia fiber ST glass cable.
Mit 750 speakers cables
Madrigal Gzel, 10 meters IC's Balance XLR biamp.

I'd used to have a Mark Levinson No. 26S preamp in the chain running in balance mode. It is nice and wonderful. But it no where near the setup that I have now. So I sold the ML no.26S. I think I will never spending any more money on electronics. I listen to music, and buy more CD's. lately.

Regards