What would you say is THE MOST important factor to good imaging?

Having an ear on each side of your head!

Speaker placement is tops in my book.

Speaker placement

Until recently, I would have said the right speaker with the right room treatment and speaker position. The right components that provide the finest resolution possible.

Then recently I discovered just how much cables can effect imaging.

The size of the image, placement of performers within the image and the amount of space between performers were significantly improved by using great cables. And I mean all cables - interconnects, speaker AND power cables.

Cables allow the entire system to reproduce the smallest details, like the echoes and reverberations within the venue that provide the sense of space within the venue itself and ultimately the reality of live concerts.

Cables will even allow modestly price components to excel and sound amazing

Just my five cents worth - Steve :-)

Agree with everything mentioned above (even roberjerman). In addition I would add control of micro-vibrations via feet, racks, weight (on top of components), etc. It all makes a difference.