The electricity provides the nutrition or energy. PCs are arteries. The source is the brain, thoughts. The preamp IS the heart. The ICs are then other arteries. The amps are the muscle. SCs are veins. The speakers are the lungs, vocal cords, voice. The music is the soul that ties it all together with the soul of the artist-musicians.
Is the preamp the “heart” of the system?
For many years my preamp was a passive devise. I was in love with the transparency. Then one day I to try an active one. With so many Stereophile “the best at any price” rave reviews I decided to go with the Audible Illusions M3B with the John Curl phono boards. I was thrilled! Finally I understood. They sound finally had meat on the bones and a musicality that I was missing. And it was just as transparent! I guess the preamp IS the heart.