Thanks, ZD. I see your points, and I agree. And my intention was not to demean any of the responses that have been provided.
My point, which I don't think is inconsistent with yours, is that there can be occasions when it is more helpful to answer a question that presumably should have been asked, rather than to focus too narrowly on the question that was asked. And focusing too narrowly on a question as presented may in fact steer the questioner in the wrong direction.
For example, in this case the preponderance of those answers that have directly focused on the original question, "what is most important: a great amplifier with a good preamplifier, or a good amp, with a great preamplifier," would pretty clearly steer the OP to direct most or all of his anticipated $1500 investment toward a new preamp. Yet quite conceivably the weak link in his system may be the speakers, as he now appears to be suspecting (in fact he has just started a new thread about a vintage speaker), or perhaps even the CD player.
I'll say also, adding to your point about the value of the thread, that I was remiss in not mentioning that more than a few respondents have in fact made some potentially valuable suggestions from a perspective that was specifically relevant to the OP's situation, yet did not focus too narrowly on the originally stated question. Including Atmasphere, Mesch, Swampwalker, Newbee, Jmcgrogan2, Minorl, Electroslacker, Mapman, and myself, among others.
So it has been a worthwhile thread in multiple respects.
Best regards,
-- Al
My point, which I don't think is inconsistent with yours, is that there can be occasions when it is more helpful to answer a question that presumably should have been asked, rather than to focus too narrowly on the question that was asked. And focusing too narrowly on a question as presented may in fact steer the questioner in the wrong direction.
For example, in this case the preponderance of those answers that have directly focused on the original question, "what is most important: a great amplifier with a good preamplifier, or a good amp, with a great preamplifier," would pretty clearly steer the OP to direct most or all of his anticipated $1500 investment toward a new preamp. Yet quite conceivably the weak link in his system may be the speakers, as he now appears to be suspecting (in fact he has just started a new thread about a vintage speaker), or perhaps even the CD player.
I'll say also, adding to your point about the value of the thread, that I was remiss in not mentioning that more than a few respondents have in fact made some potentially valuable suggestions from a perspective that was specifically relevant to the OP's situation, yet did not focus too narrowly on the originally stated question. Including Atmasphere, Mesch, Swampwalker, Newbee, Jmcgrogan2, Minorl, Electroslacker, Mapman, and myself, among others.
So it has been a worthwhile thread in multiple respects.
Best regards,
-- Al