Which has a greater effect on music,int.amp or CD?


Excluding speakers and IC's, which does for pairing purposes? For example, if I like warmer sound but with detail (like some rock), do I go with a warm, musical cd player or integrated? Both be too warm? I have been thinking about the following possible combos, any experience or thoughts:

Arcam Diva A75 Int. OR
Audio Refinement Complete Int.

with

Arcam CD72T CD OR
Audio Refinement Complete CD OR
Ah! Tjoeb 4000 CD

I have heard the Arcam's together, too dynamic for me. Will be hearing the ARC's this weekend in NY.

I was thinking the Arcam int. with the ARC CD or Ah!, OR
the ARC int. with the Arcam CD.

Speakers to follow. (PS, right now for speakers I have Sound Dynamics RTS-3's and Paradigm 5SEMK3 floors.)

Thnx.
mattybumpkin
From all my years as an audiophoole I have found that my system is as good as it's weakest link. It has always been the case. I have changed my ideas along the way a little. Everything being almost equal (if that is possible, who knows?) I would prefer to put my money into a killer CD player. You can't reproduce something that's not there. I know all the other counter raps. This is just my humble opinion this year. By the way: If you got an Audio Aero Prima Cd player, you probably would start the ball rolling to replace much of your system. Be carefeul what you wish for: you might get it. This is the nature of this great hobby.
then you will probably prefer the YBA line, cd & integre. Also they do synergise VERY well. I have found the YBA a better, if more expensive, proposition. Especially when listening for longer periods of time -- i.e. living with the components. Good luck!
Thanks for answering, Matty. I was just checking to see if there were any confounds to your previous statement.

Joel - IME, warmth and detail are not opposites, they can coexist. When under a certain budget though, they are often opponents.
I am pressed for time so will have to make my comments brief.
I think both the cd player and amp will have equal influence on the sound, but the sound of each should be balanced for optimum voicing.
I am a former owner of an ARC Complete Int Amp.
If by "warmth"; you mean the natural reproduction of the timbre of instruments and voices (without some form of electronic glaze or haze), then I do not think the ARC will do it. You may disagree so by all means listen to one.
That said, I believe there are few ss amps, short of something esoteric and expensive like Rowland that will do what you wish.
I would strongly recommend that you at least listen to a tube amp before making your final decision. It doesn't have to be an expensive tube amp. If money is an issue and you still do not want to try tubes, I would suggest getting an NAD integrated amp and getting a better cd player and Harmonic Tech cables. The NAD won't be quite as transparent as the ARC, but I think it's tonal balance will be more to your liking.
Listen carefully and have some fun. This is supposed to be fun.
Matty....I doubt having both the Complete CD and Amp is "too much". They were designed to go together as unit. If you like the YBA sound, then they should be perfect together.