What is the most important component to consider while building a new system?

For me, the preamp is of ultimate importance. Everything goes through the preamp and each sound is shaped by its character. The preamp is the "first watt" that creates the overall sound of voices and instruments and creates the soundstage's width and depth. Not that a good amp won't help, but I think the preamp is fundamental.

I have a twenty-year old ARC Reference 2 Mk. 2. I'd buy a new ARC preamp if I had the money. Yet I do love the one I have. My SMC Audio amp (McCormack DNA-1 upgraded) and ARC preamp will sound excellent with most speakers.

Obviously I have chosen a certain type of sound to create what I think of as musicality. Opposite, I would say, of Dynaudio and Krell. I have not heard d'Agostino equipment, but I assume it has the powerful punch of its predecessor Krell.

Although I would say that my preamp is known for its soundstage and positioning of instruments, I do not need to hear each note isolated in its own space. I have had seasons tickets to the L.A. Philharmonic for years and live music does not sound so clinical. 

There is a solution even to this. But I can't decide if the most component is the bowl, the water pipe, or the green bud?

At Deer Creek Audio, we believe that the best way to achieve amazing fidelity is by combining excellent speakers and a quality power amp with an optimized digital source that leverages Dirac Live system room correction.

There are many high quality speakers and amplifiers in the under $10,000 range that are truly superb. Combine them with good quality cables, which don’t need to be expensive, just exhibit good neutral transmission characteristics.

Finally, the system is truly optimized using direct digital inputs and processing with Dirac Live. If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of Dirac, feel free to contact us at Deer Creek Audio. 

https://deercreekaudio.com/

@ czarivey

1. Speakers/room, as it has always been, and ever shall be.

Speakers give personality, source quality