+1, Fiber optical conversion in house big improvement. In fact the whole house network extremely important for streaming.
I see the amplifier as separate from digital, preamp important only because it's volume control may be used in place of dac volume. Match amplifier to speaker, not to dac. I'd say preamp and dac equally important.
In my order of preference: Best is dac to quality active preamp, next dac to integrated with passive volume control or stand alone passive pre, next dac straight to amp, last dac to cheaper active preamp. Colorations introduced by cheaper active preamp is least desirable.
I see the amplifier as separate from digital, preamp important only because it's volume control may be used in place of dac volume. Match amplifier to speaker, not to dac. I'd say preamp and dac equally important.
In my order of preference: Best is dac to quality active preamp, next dac to integrated with passive volume control or stand alone passive pre, next dac straight to amp, last dac to cheaper active preamp. Colorations introduced by cheaper active preamp is least desirable.