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What is the most important component in your system.

To me it is my ARC Ref 6 preamp. I have used a few other preamps, ML38s , ARC Ref 5se,  with my current system and none has taking me closer to music then my ARC Ref 6 preamp. Years ago I always thought it was my B&W 800 Matrix speakers and then my Krell FBB amp. But found out that to get the best sound from my 800s it is a preamp..Years ago i never knew how important a good preamp was in reproducing music. And sure everything adds up ,like interconnects , power cables , speaker cables, platforms and all those tweaks that we use and try. Now i not saying that i was never happy with my 800s and Krell or even my ML 38s. But adding my current preamp really makes my other components bring out their best. 
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david_ten
5,480 posts
 
My position re. ’most important’ is further upstream. Power, power supplies, power conditioners and the supplying cables, connectors etc.

Reaffirmed once again (this past weekend) by a different approach: with an on the grid vs. an off the grid demonstration. Quite something. Immediately and easily heard and distinguishable with performance/SQ improvements across the board. Grid vs. Solar panel > Battery > Inverter, etc.

A shout out to Richard Gray for the fantastic and illustrative demo.
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
My cables !!! - without them nothing would work :-)

Seriously - my cables are still the most important component.
- they allow the components to work as designed
- extract EVERY ounce of performance from each component
- they are responsible for the superb imaging I enjoy
- they are responsible for the incredibly fast dynamics
- they are responsible for the crystal clear sound

Yes - I'm "one of those guys"

I started thinking of them as a "component" about 2 years ago after some serious auditioning.

Regards - Steve
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
I also predict all the ’links’ will be highlighted as ’most important’ by each member posting, which is another way of saying that it’s all important and that everything matters.
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ebm
9,311 posts
 
The Magico  speakers and everything else as well
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