If you could replace one link...

this subject has been beated to death, most will tell you the DAC to pre is where to put the good cable but try it both ways because that may not be true in your system.

Thanks for the responses Kurt and Phil. SORRY! Didn't know the subject had been beaten to death. I remembered something about this, but couldn't come up with the right search terms. Anyway, your two responses are quite helpful, so thanks!

Well, I'd like to whip this pony some too... and feel the source or DAC is the place to start.

I feel it all starts there... personally.

Imporrt however is as was said, is most debateable. I just like a front to back approach all most completely as an effective path.

Getting the most resolution and detail in a nice way from the front end first seems to me as just about, as vital a thing to do too.

... and I like to choose cables for how they work in certain spots too.... so I'm not too enthusiastic about having all the same brand and type wires throughout.

Gotta start somewhere... why not at the front end?

sorry Dgaylin I did not mean to sound off

when I had seperates i found the best sound could be had when the better ic was between pre and amp. I also liked it because everything else that was hooked up to the pre sounded better as well instead of just using them at one source - not exactly a 'purist' approach but it worked for me.

What cables do you have presently from your source to DAC, DAC to pre-amp and pre-amp to amp? I favor upgrading DAC to pre-amp as I had a similar test scenario a few weeks ago and found that upgrading one pair from my DAC to pre-amp made a huge difference however, it would be good to know what you are running today in terms of cables as the answer for you may be different depending upon what your configuration is today and what you are planning to upgrade to. In the interest of objectivity I should also mention that over a year ago I found that a major expenditure in the level of AES/EBU digital cables from my transport to DAC made one of the biggest changes I have ever heard, and continue to hear and enjoy in my system so the answer to your question all depends on what you have today, what it sounds like and what sound you are hoping to refine and achieve.