This question begs yet another question. Why would you buy a reciever and bypass it's amps right out of the chute? Why pay for something you're not gonna use?
Look for a pre that does all the good stuff (DD/DTS) and feed it well with your own tuner and other gear. Then use your amp of choice.
I'm a recent convert to seperates with an Anthem AVM-2/MCA-5 and the difference is huge. Dip your toes into the high end and you'll never go back...:-)
My best guess to your original question is that the pre is gonna have the largest effect on what you hear.
What kind of speakers do you have and what is your goal? Budget?
Look for a pre that does all the good stuff (DD/DTS) and feed it well with your own tuner and other gear. Then use your amp of choice.
I'm a recent convert to seperates with an Anthem AVM-2/MCA-5 and the difference is huge. Dip your toes into the high end and you'll never go back...:-)
My best guess to your original question is that the pre is gonna have the largest effect on what you hear.
What kind of speakers do you have and what is your goal? Budget?