Really I think it depends on the hydraulic ratio one starts with. Old Yams like the XJ750 cop bikes spring to mind. They had very mushy feeling brakes. Put braided lines on them & they were like solid. Squeeze a breeze-brick. Yueck! However std rubber lines are getting better & stiffer so braided lines aren't such a change. I think they used to engineer in a shallow ratio to make up for the flex in the lines.
However rubber lines do deteriorate. Manufacturers often had "replace every 2 years" on service manuals, but no one in Christendom ever did replace with std. I've had a couple of old dirtbikes that I bought that I just couldn't get a reasonable feel from the lever until I fitted a (covered) braided line. Obviously the rubber ones were knackered. Perhaps as you suggest with an inner failure? Never considered that. I assumed they broke down with UV or summit.
I like my rear brakes spooongy so leave them on, but I prefer braided on sportsbikes, esp when I am pushing the envelope with a smaller master cylinder for more ratio. But I've also kept std rubber lines where they have been performing fine.
So presumably you can make new rubber lines up? Never heard of this service, I suppose it is common in automotive?
Don't you look at my accountant.
He's the only one I've got.
Bookmarks