Benefits of tube sound with SS amp with tube cdp?

I used to have a tube cdp, tube preamp, and SS amp that sounded really good. I changed to a different tube cdp, passive pre, and the same amp and it sounds awesome.
First I changed from a SF Line 3 SE to Placette Passive and the transparency and overall musicality improved dramatically. No dozen tubes to replace in the Passive and the initial cost was far less. The sound was further improved when I replaced the SFCD-1 with a Granite Audio 657 tube cd player.
The output level from the SFCD-1 was good with the passive, but the variable output on the tube stage of the 657 is better. I never have tried the cdp direct to amp, because there would be no remote for volume.

My set up includes a Jolida JD100, an ARC LS-12, and an Odyssey audio Mono Amps(SS) and the sound was great.

A few months ago, out of curiosity (from reading threads here about the synergy of tube CDP, tube Pre and SS amp), I bought an Octal-based tube preamp (Mapletree Audio Design Octal 6A Triplex at http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/) for $435 and tried it in my system. I figure that if it does not work, I can take the loss and charge it to experience.

My system sounded so much better ever since. The body and warmth of the sound is like an exotic delicacy where it gets fuller and more enticing as the tube aged in time.
From the SS amp, the "punch" was ever present. From the tube preamp, the timbre becomes lush without loss of detail.

The cd player? You know how good it is already because you have one. But in my case, it is a "plus" per se.

Go for the tube preamp. You will not regret it!

....hope this helps....

First of all, thanks for the feedback guys. I have a lot to learn and demo before I get the sound I want, I have a couple of follow ups:

Eagle: I went to the Granite audio site and read about your cdp, looks interesting. I have already read about the Placette from previous threads. Would you say the majority of the improvement in your system came from the Granite cdp or the Placette passive pre?

Amandarae: Sounds like an awesome system. I'm trying to understand your post... I thought the ARC LS-12 was a tube preamp to begin with? Did your Mapletree replace your ARC LS-12? If so, didn't you already have a tube preamp before the change?

Thanks in advance for your time with clarifications.

The ARC LS-12 is solid state.

Mijknarf,
I think the benefits were about equal from each component, but in different ways so it's difficult to quantify. The Line 3 SE preamp was gone before I got the Granite 657 cdp, so I could not compare them together to know what that combination sounded like. The Placette Passive linestage had the most initial impact, perhaps because it was used and any break-in had already been done. The sound was not only like a veil had been lifted, but some heavy curtains were opened as well. The Placette has made it easier to distinguish component, cable, and cord changes in my system.

It took some time for the Granite 657 to settle in, so after about 100 hours I swapped the SFCD-1 back in. Not long ago the SFCD-1 was considered among the best one box players available, but it was not as dynamic or musical as the 657. The difference was very obvious even with casual listening.
Both players had NOS tubes.

I highly recommend both the Granite 657 cdp and Placette Passive linestage. Both companies have a trial period.