Importance of Amplifier versus Preamp?

ZD- I'm always eager to listen to someone who is passionate and not afraid to express their opinion, but really

the only thing that you've proven is that you know how to make a fool out of yourself

You off your meds again ;-) Give the guy a break. We wring our hands about the shortage of new blood in this hobby and then someone new comes along and you $hit all over him. You're entitled to your opinion and even to express it honestly, but that was a little bit over the top (IMO).

Rockanroller- There are no stupid questions. Lots for all of us to learn. Except ZD. And Bo. Steer clear of Bo. He'll have you spending $20K on cables for your $5K system.

"You off your meds again ;-) Give the guy a break. We wring our hands about the shortage of new blood in this hobby and then someone new comes along and you $hit all over him. You're entitled to your opinion and even to express it honestly, but that was a little bit over the top (IMO)."

Normally, I would agree, but in this case I think my comment was justified. The OP starts the thread claiming to be new to audio and is looking for advice. Nothing wrong with that. That's what these threads are for. But if you read his last couple of posts, its clear that he wasn't being honest with us. He had his mind made up right from the start. All the sudden, he starts preaching about science and psychology, 2 topics that he clearly knows very little about as you can see from the ridiculous info he references. So, if he was honest with us right from the beginning, that's fine. He didn't do that, and I don't like being tricked.

I didn't take it as trickery (meaning deliberate) at all. Just a guy who is reading and learning and listening and expanding his horizons and may go down a few wrong paths. I'm quite a cynic but I didn't read it that way. It can be hard to discern intent w/o facial and verbal cues; I could be wrong. Happened once or twice...since dinner ;-)

Preamp no question.

Happy Listening.

Swampwalker,

I've been wrong before, and I may be wrong now, but I still think I called it right. This is how he starts off.

"New in the field. I am wondering what is most important: a great amplifier with a good preamplifier, or a good amp, with a great preamplifier? Or should I look at a good amp with a great do certain brands make amplifier to go with preamplifier and receivers?
Thank you kindly."

How do you go from that, to this?

"After reading some comments on amplifier, I really wonder what mechanical/electrical/audio miracles have been performed , knowing the fact that the laws of Physics are still the same as they were 20/30 years ago, metallurgy has not come up with new alloys, to justify the cost in ten of thousands of dollars. As Mr Carver demonstrated, by building an affordable amplifier, of which the sound could not be distinguished from an extremely expensive name amplifier that was being compared to(mid`s 70 )!
The fact also remains that the human auditory system is very limited in scope, unless your name was Beethoven, or Mile Davis,for example. Just wondering.....So if I was able to spend 5/6 grands on an amplifier, I would probably buy a Carver amp...I can already feel the wave of outrage from all the AUDIOPHILES coming at me....OHLALA!"
He's new in the field, very humble and wants out opinions. It sounds great.

He's gone from being the humble learner just a few short days ago, to having it all worked out on several different fronts scientifically. And now top it all off with a healthy dose of know it all sarcasm. For all I know, you may be right, but to me that last post sounds like someone who came here to teach, and already had their mind made up.