What is more important source or preamp?

You asked for real story. OK, here is mine.

I had a quality SS system based on vinyl in the early 80's. Excellent turntables (2). I thought this was pretty good. Source to speakers. Unfortunately vinyl was becoming a real PITA. Record quality was terrible and new vinyl was being recorded in 'digital'. Then came the CD 'forever'. I bought an early Sony and a few CD's - it was terrible! Then I bought a CAL Aria (tubed) CDP. OK this is better but not really great. Then I got flush and I bought an ARC SP10II - suddenly CD became more enjoyable and I bought more CD's. But I also played some records and I was appalled by all that I was missing with my previous phono-preamp.

The SP10II became a gatekeeper for me for the next 20+years. IMHO, sources come and go, formats come and go, but a wisely chosen pre-amp will last a long time and take you thru many changes of sources as well as amps and speakers.

I agree with Hifitime(weakset link).In addition,system synergy can be as important as the individual components--"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts"

Agreed again on- weakest link, and also synergy factor.
Commonly known in the audio community.
But yet hoping to hear more stories reflecting dramatic improvements when injecting new components into the system.
So still searching- which one is more important?
Let's say budget allows one expensive component and one inexpensive-- which would you spend more on???
By the way I am wondering if integrated amps may be a good way for companies to make an incredible piece of equipment that will beat seperates by carefully matching the internal preamp to the amp and sounding better than seperates. I'm sure it has happened but that could be another thread.

source

According to the founder of Linn, no matter what you do with your system, if your cartridge stinks, nothing else matters...