Amp vs Preamp which is more important?

@ghdprentice   I havre  to also agree with you. I recently upgraded my Ref 6 to the 6 se. But tell me u said u would upgrade the 6SE to a 10se when it comes out ? Why not up grade the 6SE to the 10 now ? And what if for argument sake they don’t make a 10se. Or anything past the 10. Not likely but let’s say.  Would u then up the 6 se for the 10 ? 

I personally think both are just as important. I recently upgraded my ARC Ref 6 to the 6 SE. I also bought new ARC REF 750s mono blocks to replace my Krell FPB 600 amp. I think that they are both very important components not to try and skimp on. 

If you have a CD player or DAC with a volume control you can do a little test to determine the performance of your preamp. listen to the digital component through the preamp and then disconnect it and hook it up directly to your amp, being careful to start with the volume turned down low. Go back and forth a couple times. Hopefully there won't be much, if any difference in sound.

If it sounds the same without the preamp in the chain then it is doing its job. It should be neutral and transparent.

Which is more important, you right foot, or your left foot?  The preamp certainly has the more complex job.  I sidestepped this question by buying an integrated amp and probably gave up the ability to have the best of either.

Amps can sound pretty good without a preamp. Preamps don’t sound at all without a power amp. Headphones excepted. :)