What is the most difficult component to upgrade

Preamps can make a HUGE difference in a system. Many audio people have told me that a systems sonic signature is many times most determined by the preamplification. I have had digital preamplification, passive preamplification, active SS preamplification, active tube premplification, and preamplification built into a DAC/CDP. All have their plusses and minuses. ALL sound very different, having their own general sonic attributes. And this is not even considereing the great differences in the sounds of the different brands of preamps in each category.

Long ago it used to seem silly to me to spend money on preamps. How much difference could they make? My first preamps were passive. Very inexpensive and in theory were supposed to sound good... Well I moved onto an active preamp (Morrison ELAD), a very nice piece for its price that offered a lot more detail than the passive pieces. Then I moved onto digital and finally to tube active. Anyway, the differences can be STAGGERING if your other components are as high of quality (in transparency) or higher than the preamp you are using.

My 2C

KF

KF I agree, the preamp has always made the biggest difference in my system the amp was second with source (digital) third. The toughest thing for me to spend additional upgrade money is cables. One I got to a certain level of cable any upgrade had little if any impact on my system.

I'm with Unsound, hands down it's the room.

Check out the tread on Preamp of the Century. Buy a Supratek preamp and you will be VERY HAPPY. The only downside is that you have to be very patient. This preamp is handemade one at a time in Western Australia. The wait is 4 to 6 months. It is the most musical and the most beautiful preamp I have ever encountered. You will learn a lot from the thread.

...and it has as much if not more impact on the sound as anything else in the system!