Amp vs Preamp which is more important?


I am considering changing my amp/preamp combination and as I think about budget, I am wondering if one of these components should get more focus. My other question is if these components, even separates can never be considered in isolation but are always part of a pair working together.

I thought there must be a thread on this, but I couldn't find it. Feel free to respond with it here and I will shut this thread down.

Thanks!

saulh

I need a preamp since I have a few analog sources on my 2 systems. I use 2 preamps that are utterly silent and impart minimal sound to the signal. Both the Holo Serene and Benchmark LA4 are as silent as it gets, and I love them both with every amp I have hooked them up to.

For me, the amp is much more important than the premp. Now if I had a different preamp that added to the sound, such as a CODA 07x, Luxman c900u, or Schitt Freya+, then that would be a totally different answer. 

 

I firmly believe the preamp is the heart and soul of a system.   Everything goes through it and it drives your amp.    

I had the opportunity to own a Zesto Leto preamp.   It is a seriously good preamp.  It elevated my system's performance like no other component.   I sold it to fund a DHT preamp I am having built to match my amp.      It was a great pre, I took a huge step back using my old preamp til my new one is ready.  You really should try something of that calibre with your amp....

Both amp and preamp can be equally important - way to many scenarios to determine which one. I would think of it as "which component is holding the other one back" and go from there.

@ghdprentice   I havre  to also agree with you. I recently upgraded my Ref 6 to the 6 se. But tell me u said u would upgrade the 6SE to a 10se when it comes out ? Why not up grade the 6SE to the 10 now ? And what if for argument sake they don’t make a 10se. Or anything past the 10. Not likely but let’s say.  Would u then up the 6 se for the 10 ? 

I personally think both are just as important. I recently upgraded my ARC Ref 6 to the 6 SE. I also bought new ARC REF 750s mono blocks to replace my Krell FPB 600 amp. I think that they are both very important components not to try and skimp on.