Amp vs preamp question

Each piece contributes to the sound.

The engineering principle of bottle necking comes into play when "tuning" your system. Basically, this means you make sure the part furthest downstream is not "bottle necking" or limiting performance. Once this part is tuned, then move to the next piece upstream.

Unfortunately, if you do not make sure the amp can drive the speaks properly in you listening environment first, you will have a bottleneck downstream and not be able to get the most out of your expensive upstream electronics no matter how much money you throw into them.

I agree with most of the points above. I have found on an absolute basis the preamp has a larger effect on the overall sound of a system than an amp (this is obviously a generalization).

That said, Mapman's right in that if your amp won't drive your speakers properly the rest really doesn't matter. And since most Thiel speakers are demanding and quite picky when it comes to amps it's probably particularly important in your case to get the amp right first, then find a preamp that synergizes well with your sound preferences and the amp itself. I'd follow that strategy and let the costs fall where they may.

Best of luck.

I have to agree with Mapman here. Especially with Thiel's. Thiel's are more demanding of appropriate, quality amplification than most speakers. BTW, I've been using Thiels for 20 years.

The amp is more important than the preamp, and vice-versa.

Seriously, my experience generally supports Mapman's statement, but within a range of amps that accomplish that optimum combo, the choice of preamp will give a profound, perhaps more significant improvement.

btw - I spent about the same on both in my system.

" the choice of preamp will give a profound, perhaps more significant improvement."

I agree the impact of pre-amp will be profound.

How exactly does one best go about chosing which pre-amp will be best at this point though?