The most important piece in a stereo system???


I was wondering what people think is the single most important part of a stereo system? It can be the amp, speakers, CD payer, preamp, speaker wire, cables, tweeks, whatever you name it. I just want honest opinions. What would you spend the most money on? I think most of you will either say amp or speakers. I know having all good stuff will make your system sound better, but I just want to know the single most important part. Myself I think the speakers are the most important. I look forward to reading what you think. thanks in advance.
souljasmooth
Hi Souljasmooth, It's all important. I would start with PCs, Isolation products, house wiring, acceptible power conditioning, and room treatment. This will help bring out the best your components have to offer. Best of luck.
Speakers. Room. Software. Not necessarily in that order. Everything else pales by comparison.
everything makes some difference but to me....
the the thing that makes the most difference is the Preamp, followed by the Speakers these are the two that make Way More difference than the others. After that its the Amps, followed by the Source, and then the Cables.
Good food for thought! While I probably would have to agree that the room may be the most important, getting back to your basic question, my personal vote goes to speakers. I have heard, and it is a good arguement, that the source (garbage in barbage out) theory rules; however, I still contend that the speakers (for me) are the most important, and I say this because there is no single component which has the capability of changing the total sound of an entire system as much as do the speakers.

Good listening.

Regards,
AEW
It's all equally important. The single most important thing is that all of the components work well together. From the breakers feeding the outlets power to the window treatments in your room to isolation and everything in between. WATT/Puppies are great ... but coupled with the wrong amp (even a very expensive one) will have trouble surpassing a system a tenth of it's price. Half a dozen 'little' problems in your system/enviroment will cause just as much sonic havoc as a bad component mismatch.