Blind Test Results: Benchmark LA4 vs Conrad Johnson Tube Preamp

[MattHooper]

It could be what is happening. If you wanted to bother you could take the output from the various ways of connecting the preamps and measure it with an ADC. Use some simple test tones and see what results you get with different configurations. Running the CJ lower and then going thru another preamp would worsen SNR, dynamic range and SINAD somewhat. Whether it is audible or not hard to say without more info.

Righto. I'm probably too lazy to get around to doing that. I tend to get the gumption up for such stuff, but then get tired of it and "just wanna listen to music."
But thanks for the suggestions. They are there if I want to take advantage in the future. Cheers.