Although not directly comparable model to model with yours, I had quite a similar experience. I was using the LS17 line stage with the VS115 (KT120) amp. I replaced the VS115 with the REF75, which by all accounts (reviews and comments all over the 'net) is completely superior.
In my system I gained a noticable improvement, but certainly more on the subtle side than the night-and-day difference I was expecting.
I then switched out the LS17 for the REF5SE. BOOM! There it was. I didn't experiment around to find out for sure, but I expect that what I finally heard were the improvements brought on by both the REF5SE AND the REF75.
Moral of the story: never let your pre-amp hold you back!
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