What's most important synergy wise???

Amp to speaker synergy , to me , is the most important !
Then tailor it with the source/pre .

Lets put it this way? Your Sound is only as good as Your weakest link.

Synergy must be from power in house, to music out of speakers.

Each individual link is as important as the next IMHO.

We All "Hear" differently, so unfortunately there is no

"Standard" for all listeners. Just think of the links in

a Motorcycle chain, any weakness or breakage could be

catastrophic.

Take time, to provide the Best match at every "Link" and

the result, you will "HEAR!" Why spend $80k on amplifiers

and then buy $30 interconnects? You get the idea.

Each link is every bit as crucial as the next IMHO, over the

last 35 years or so, I have found improvements where I

never expected. Is not Your investment deserving the Best

possible match, in every area!

In any Sport, an player must train hard; In Audio, a

listener must listen to different pieces, to achieve

the ideal match. It is fun, a learning experience, and

the final reward is well worth Your effort.

Happy Listening!

What loudspeaker and cables are you using?

Just reading about the BAT VK-52SE seems like one heck of a preamp.

I agree about the weakest link argument, but I don't think that in this case, the source to pre link is going to be a weak one whichever approach is taken - I don't think there will be a "synergy" issue; but one pre may be sound better to the listener than the other based on personal preference.

Lapierre:

I'm running Straight Wire Serenade biwired into B&W N803S.

Yes, I agree the VK-52SE is an awesome piece but the C500 is McIntoshs least expensive fully balanced preamp and priced to compete with the BAT.

decisions, decisions...