Speakers determine the character of a system. I think of them like raising kids. I used to think that I could influence my young kids to act/live like I wanted them to. Now I realize they are who they are and are largely born that way. My mom would say that kids come into this world with their bags packed. I could only influence my kids 5 to 10%. Speakers are the same. They have a built in personality, and I can only move their sound 5 to 10% with system and cable changes. I was on a "more resolution" kick for several decades. That led to speaker choices of B&W 801 matrix, and Wilson Sasha 2s. I spent forever and lots of $ trying to move their personality to a less harsh more musical sound with components and cables. I then bought Rockport Cygnus Speakers and I love their inherent sound. Component matching is easy now as I am adding components that complement the speakers sound, not ones that try and muffle or change a sound character I hear as too bright. The lesson I learned is that the speaker is the primary determinate of your system's sound, so I spend as much or more than I should on my speakers. My caveat is that these impressions are from one set of ears, in my room, with my components, your milage my vary.
Poll: Most impactful component
Given all the technological advances over the years, audiophiles have very different perspectives on equipment.
This likely reopens an age old debate, but which component has the most potential to improve a stereo system? Or can it?
If you could upgrade one component to take your system to the next level which one would get the investment? Speakers? DAC? Pre? Source?
Or is this the holy grail that no one can achieve?