interconnects

It varies from system to system. The only way to find out is to experiment.

I agree with ZD.

I would add that the importance of the cables between preamp and amp will tend to be greatest if the output impedance of the preamp is high (as it often is for many tube-based preamps), and their importance will also increase in proportion to the length of the cables, and their importance will generally tend to be greater if the cables are unbalanced as opposed to balanced.

The same considerations apply to the cables from disc player to preamp.

The importance of speaker cables will tend to be greatest if the impedance of the speakers is low, and it will increase in proportion to the length of the cable. If the speakers are electrostatics, choosing speaker cables having low inductance will also tend to be important, especially if the cables are long. The importance of the speaker cables MIGHT also tend to increase if the amplifier uses significant amounts of feedback and/or has particularly wide bandwidth, and (for dynamic speakers) if the woofers are particularly sensitive to damping factor.

Hope that helps. Regards,
-- Al

Generally, I'm a skeptic on the benefits of insanely expensive cables, power or interconnect. However, I remember the first time I upgraded my CD interconnect from the manufacturer- supplied one to an Audioquest Ruby (modestly priced). It was a huge difference! Since then I have used KimberKables and Tara Labs for all interconnects in my system.

Are ICs important? Yes.

Do quality ICs (and all of ICs, speaker and power cables in general) make a difference? yes ... and the effects are much more graphic as one moves up the equipment food chain.

But the pre-amp to amp IC is just one link in the array. The entire IC - speaker - power cable array matters ...big-time.

I cannot agree that your notion of the ICs between the pre-amp and amp can be allowed to fall behind as the laggard in the chain .... just as with quality-build source versus a cheap alternative ..... garbage in = garbage out.

Again, the effects are also exponential as one moves up the gear quality (and price) food chain....full stop.

How important is the cable between the Preamp and Amp?
68pete
08-27-15

Not important at all. I've been running with no interconnect cable at all between preamp and amp for about a year now, and couldn't be happier. ;^)
YMMV.

Cheers,
John