Once I get some Brewtan I'm going to compare the results to using smb and preboiling. But, I have a therminator and a copper pickup tube in the kettle, and I still saw some improvements on one batch in terms of wort darkening and smoothness and improved lagering time. Nothing scientific, and I didn't correct for the pH drop from the smb, so I hit a lower level than normal. But it's enough to make me suggest you try it even without removing copper.