It has to be my Lamm LL2.1 Deluxe preamp, it sets the stage for everything else. I have always felt that the preamp, which ever one you settle on is the most important piece of the puzzle, get it right and things start to fall into place.
What is the most important component in your system.
To me it is my ARC Ref 6 preamp. I have used a few other preamps, ML38s , ARC Ref 5se, with my current system and none has taking me closer to music then my ARC Ref 6 preamp. Years ago I always thought it was my B&W 800 Matrix speakers and then my Krell FBB amp. But found out that to get the best sound from my 800s it is a preamp..Years ago i never knew how important a good preamp was in reproducing music. And sure everything adds up ,like interconnects , power cables , speaker cables, platforms and all those tweaks that we use and try. Now i not saying that i was never happy with my 800s and Krell or even my ML 38s. But adding my current preamp really makes my other components bring out their best.