2. amps-preamps
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Darryl and Darryl ask ... where would you start?

We've all seen the 'what component is more important?' threads. Well, let's say someone bought into the 'speakers are way more important' argument. They now have a very good, and very revealing, pair of mains. Unfortunately, they have much, much less accomplished equipment upstream. If there is a pecking order, I would say their sources are better at being sources than their receiver is at being a pre and amp. They will have to upgrade gradually, spending perhaps $1000 or so at a time - strictly used, normally at less than 50% of retail. Would you advise them to dump it all into one component at a time (and if so, which one), or spread it among 2 to start, then upgrade again later?

Darryl advised to get a piece that you love, even if its sonic merits aren't immediately realized because of up- or downstream limitations. Then buy the next piece. If you don't have time (or money) to do it right, when will you have time (or money) to do it over?

Then my other brother Darryl advised them to stretch a bit to $1200 or $1500 and replace the receiver with both a pre and amp of modest capability (but still an improvement) so that they would hear an immediate improvement (which they may not with just an amp or source replacement.

Which Darryl, if either, was correct in your opinion?

Larry
inscrutable

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inscrutable OP
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Thanks for the response, guys and gals. I admit to subscribing to the 'buy what you love' philosophy - especially in the areas like speakers and amps which don't change much with technology and format 'advances'.

I've been a poster and lurker here for a long time, and I must say that I typically will agree with you Trelja on many things. As all of you have suggested, I have and plan to stay pretty modest in the cable department until the basic level of the 'boxes' is up to snuff, then find a connection that works best for those 2 components. I am not a 'wire-is-wire' guy, but neither am I a serious cable guy. It's the seasoning in the dish, but not the main ingredients. (Like many here, I am also a culinary hobbyist).

I've been preoccupied with HT for a while now. Sold off a bunch of audio stuff and put in a CRT projector, tiered seating, building an HTPC, the whole enchilada. But 2-ch is still my passion, and I return to music like salmon to spawn ... or maybe pigeons to roost or lemmings to the cliff are more appropos ;-)

Paul, fortunately I was ready for marriage some 23 years ago. While she does not share my interest in gear, she has been a very active participant in the theater construction. I think it's all about the candy counter! ;-)
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