Frankly, all components are important; in a system, a stereo system, it is the system that brings sonic enjoyment. Have a weak part even in a top notch system, and the system is only as good as the less than stellar component.
Here is my story... some years ago, I settled on Pass Aleph 1.2 mono's for my amp, then I got Von Schweikert VR-6 speakers. My source was a Nakamichi Dragon CD player, and my line stage was first a Adcom something, then a Sonic Frontiers SF-2. I still couldn't understand why my system wasn't singing like it should. Finally, my stereo guy said, ditch the SF-2 and get a Pass X0.2, a three box line stage, which was just introduced. I did, and once that was in, the heavens opened up and my system was, at least in my opinion, making some very fine music! My past line stage choices were not up to snuff; at the time, I didn't think a line stage would be such an influencing piece to the puzzle, but it is. Frankly, in a system, it ALL is.
Just get the best stuff you can afford, and work with a stereo guy who'll work with you, meaning let you listen to it because listening to it is where the proof in the pudding is. Anyways, happy hunting in your quest to assemble your ultimate two channel system.
Here is my story... some years ago, I settled on Pass Aleph 1.2 mono's for my amp, then I got Von Schweikert VR-6 speakers. My source was a Nakamichi Dragon CD player, and my line stage was first a Adcom something, then a Sonic Frontiers SF-2. I still couldn't understand why my system wasn't singing like it should. Finally, my stereo guy said, ditch the SF-2 and get a Pass X0.2, a three box line stage, which was just introduced. I did, and once that was in, the heavens opened up and my system was, at least in my opinion, making some very fine music! My past line stage choices were not up to snuff; at the time, I didn't think a line stage would be such an influencing piece to the puzzle, but it is. Frankly, in a system, it ALL is.
Just get the best stuff you can afford, and work with a stereo guy who'll work with you, meaning let you listen to it because listening to it is where the proof in the pudding is. Anyways, happy hunting in your quest to assemble your ultimate two channel system.