Cd direct to power amp

Buy or borrow RCA and listen to it direct to the amp. To my ears, there is somewhat more "clarity" that comes at the expense of being musical (mostly I think due to a loss of dynamics - both macro and micro). I also do not like the fact that the Wadia units accomplish volume control by losing resolution. We pay increasingly higher $$ to get from 16 bit to 20 bit to 24 bit, why give it all back to avoid using a pre-amp??

I run a Linn Genki variable out to a Mesa Baron tube amp. There is some brightness that I think could be attributed to the magnepan tweeters or the CD interface. One thing I have been considering is the SCE harmonic recovery system between the Linn and Mesa. One review at Audioreview said that it cured the treble brightness on his MMGs as well as added a wealth of information.

I run CD direct in my third system. It's lower end stuff, Pioneer CDP into an NAD 2600A amp. I have used this for 13 years with very good results. I tried 3 preamps over the years(Sony, Counterpoint, & AR), none did anything other than worsen the sound. I've considered a passive preamp(Creek OBH-12 or 14), but since I only use 1 source with this rig these days, I haven't bothered. People have always told me, "You need a preamp". But even they have admitted to the deterioration in sound upon listening. My advice, try it. If it sounds better direct, don't let anyone else tell you anything.