Will a high quality preamp really make a difference in sound?? Also speaker cable


Will a quality preamp make my system sound better?  And speaker cable...seems like everything I read people are split on this subject. My local hifi store brought up a good point; they said that the only thing between your amp and your speakers are the cable. Very good point and I'm inclined to believe it. Don't want to spend a fortune but don't want cheap cable either. Thoughts/ recommendations? Thank you in advance. 

spoonman16510

Back in 1992 I purchased a AR SP-9. It made a huuge difference! It opened up the soundstage width, depth and detail. All improved immensely! It was though I walked into the room of the performance.

Put world class preamp in any decent system and you will probably agree with me. It is a transformative experience.   Makes the whole system sound better and live up to its full potential 

There are many great speakers out there hobbled by a mediocre preamp.  Or a so so amp.    Lots....  Part of the reason we've all been chasing better sound.  

 I think spending as much or more on amplification than speakers yields great results.  

More on amplification, definitely more. Unless the very top level where it might get equal, I don't know. Give any good speakers a signal and they will sing.

 

Right now I'm using 2 identical Anthem power amps MCA 225, NAD C379 preamp, Cambridge audio cxn100, and a Marantz single cd player as a transport using the dac inside the NAD. As far as speaker cable I'm using some that I found on Amazon and it seems to get the job done, the name of this speaker cable is WBC.

One of the most  significant jumps forward in sound quality in my system occurred  when I made a substantial upgrade in the preamp. The only thing that made as much difference was room treatments. Like most of this stuff, it’s probably system dependent, and others may have had a different experience