Poll: Most impactful component

Given all the technological advances over the years, audiophiles have very different perspectives on equipment.

This likely reopens an age old debate, but which component has the most potential to improve a stereo system? Or can it?

If you could upgrade one component to take your system to the next level which one would get the investment? Speakers? DAC? Pre? Source?

Or is this the holy grail that no one can achieve?

tee_dee05-19-2023 2:24am

mijostyn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 8,175 posts 05-29-2023 at 08:55pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The final Transducer (speaker/room) by a country mile, followed by the amplifier.
vinylvalet Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 836 posts 05-30-2023 at 02:47pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Another vote for speaker/room.
stuartk Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,335 posts 05-31-2023 at 02:58pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I bought the speakers I've used for the past 17 years based on a forum member's recommendation. In the meantime, I've moved from a CDP to separate DAC + transport, upgraded all cabling and upgraded integrateds three times. I haven't felt a need to upgrade speakers, so I guess I just lucked out. If I had the extra cash, I might upgrade them to the current version but not before upgrading my DAC.
tomcarr Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,468 posts 05-31-2023 at 03:17pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete 1. Room 2. Setup 3. Speakers 4. Source 5. Amp 6. Preamp 7. Cables
jjss49 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,608 posts 05-31-2023 at 03:32pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete i like your list and sequence @tomcarr 👍 my only comment is that 1, 2 and 3 are usually a simultaneous solve...