amp or preamp most important

How about this? If the amplifier and speakers aren't compatible it won't much matter what precedes them.

Precisely.

PRE-AMP.So, as long as the amp and the speakers are best buds?they can take the just alright music that your pre has sent it and transform it into beautiful music? Your speaker & amp can make that happen? the checking to make sure all components match spec wise is a given.If your speaker is 100 watt max,200 watt amp might not work,But i think the amp can only amplify the signal its fed..Your speakers will let you hear all that mess,as long as your speaker covers the full freg.range

So, as long as your pre-amp is sending along beautiful music, it doesn't matter what happens afterwards?

the gentleman's question was what?IMHO the pre with correct cabling ,given to the amp to bring it to concert levels. Hopefully your speakers can handle the call.You,ll soon know