What Is Most Important?

The ability to present live performers in room experience. I want every listening session to be totally engaging, like I'm getting into performers heads, a personal musical experience with these individuals, they're speaking to me.

+1 @blisshifi . My mood on a particular day can make the difference between enchantment and . . . disenchantment.

As Syntax posted, the preamp has had the most profound positive effect on my system's overall performance. I don't have to listen as loud anymore to hear what the music really has to say, especially in softer  moments.

Just a complete transformation in listening enjoyment.

Regards,

Dan

The music that's being reproduced.... 

#1 is the right blend of Sativa. A good recording (no definition of a "good’ recording available) helps.

There is the rub. Good to me might be bad to most others. If you had found it you wouldn’t devote precious time to scewy questions