Digital BW, The Print

When I process in Camera Raw I skip any curves adjustments assuming
that I am better off using the curves function in PS.  However, after
some reading, I wonder if using curves during processing of the raw
image will provide access to information that might be lost after
conversion to the PSD or TIFF format.  That is, curves in raw might
provide a function comparable to exposure -- an adjustment that allows
taking full advantage of the "digital negative."  Is there any basis
to that argument or am I just as well off skipping curves in raw and
using a PS layer instead after conversion?

Thanks,

Steve