As others have stated, it’s very system dependent. But I’d venture a guess that in most systems a preamp is critical to the end result you hear. Over my many years of listening/learning my two absolute biggest surprises were:
1- the preamp can make a huge difference in a system’s performance, and in my system the pre makes a much bigger difference than even the amp and is only behind speakers and the room in terms of its overall influence and impact on sound (again, very system dependent).
2- subwoofers can absolutely transform a system in terms of dramatically improving imaging and expanding the soundstage (it ain’t all about that bass).
These were the two biggest smack me upside the head/I didn’t see that coming moments during my long audio journey, FWIW in the context of your question. I’d HIGHLY recommend at least demoing a good pre in your system to see what you hear for yourself — I bet you’ll be pretty surprised. I sure as hell know I was. Have fun with the journey.
1- the preamp can make a huge difference in a system’s performance, and in my system the pre makes a much bigger difference than even the amp and is only behind speakers and the room in terms of its overall influence and impact on sound (again, very system dependent).
2- subwoofers can absolutely transform a system in terms of dramatically improving imaging and expanding the soundstage (it ain’t all about that bass).
These were the two biggest smack me upside the head/I didn’t see that coming moments during my long audio journey, FWIW in the context of your question. I’d HIGHLY recommend at least demoing a good pre in your system to see what you hear for yourself — I bet you’ll be pretty surprised. I sure as hell know I was. Have fun with the journey.