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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The optimal placement and positioning of the speakers in the listening environment, allowing them to pressurize the volume of air in the room and your ears as natural sounds do in life. Doing this reveals the emotional connection to the music better than any combination of equipment and wire possibly can. 
Agree with hifibouncer, proper speaker placement allows you to properly here the components. 

Of of course all the components in the chain must act togeather including proper cabling both ic , sc and more importantly pc.


For me, it’s clearly room acoustics. Everything else is for naught without a decent room. 
I'd like to contradict myself and now say it's my integrated (or amp).
My Kinki Studio EX-M1 has completely changed the way I see, and hear, things. A game changer for sure.

All the best,
Nonoise