preamp vs amp: relative effect on sound?

The preamp is further up the signal path and therefore has a greater influence. So, while the right answer is always it depends because it is a system and components are different. But say maybe 65 / 35 pre / amp for thinking about it. But if you have an underpowered amp then upgrading this will have a disproportionate difference, as an example.

Q2.. All the components I have bought have not varied enough that it has influences Q1. In most cases the gain on the preamp normally been roughly the same as I swapped them. I remember some big differences in the  40 to 50 years ago timeframe. 

 

Anybody else?

How about Q2?

Depending on your speakers, the amp could be as much as 80%.

For q2, it’s more about the the voltage required for full output on your amp. For example, if your amp requires .5 v for full rated power, you would probably want to pair it with a low gain preamp.

Also, the input impedance of the preamp should be at least 100 times higher than the output impedance of your preamp as a general rule of thumb.

Q1.. I was always of the belief that pre amps had the biggest impact regarding sound that changed after i bought the AGD amps. But in most cases i would say it's 60/40 with pre's having the biggest impact.

Q2.. Higher gain pre's can deliver more dynamics and detail.

@twoleftears

it is highly situation specific, as you can imagine

prentice is correct, preamp will have more influence if the amp has a pretty easy time gripping and driving the speakers, otherwise, amp to speaker interface and interaction can be dominant

for many years i have always felt the heart of my system is my conrad johnson linestage (prem 16ls2 or et5 or art over the years), but i used fairly easy to drive bbc heritage speakers like spendor harbeth proac quad -- and i use plenty of amp to drive them whether tube or ss -- thus the cj brought the magic to the party...