Which has greatest influence?

Thanks for all of the thoughtful answers. My setup at present
starts with a Prima Luna Pre amp, I recently added Conrad Johnson LP 705. Speakers are B&W 804s. The CJ impreoved my system greatly. Just wondered if I changed the Preamps would I get a similar boost?
Wondered too about matching preamp and amp CJ all the way. would that make a difference? I am somewhat new ro all of this and these questions pop up in the middle of the night,

I use the PL pre-amp in my system. Specifically what was the 'boost' you refer to. Can you describe the sonic differences it brought? What further improvements would you want to bring about by changing the PL3 out. Having some knowledge about the PL3 and how it interfaces with some amp's I might be able to help. BTW, what is you amps input impedence. I'm not familar with the CJ LP705.

#1- Speakers
#2- Source
#3- Preamp
#4- Amp
#5- Wire/Tweaks/Room etc.

This is true provided that all componets are of a reasonable level of quality and the room is of an adequate size! There are exceptions of course.

All components matter, which is why we build systems. Component switching can improve or degrade systems, but there is no predictive formula that tells us we will improve things with a certain amount of dollars spent. This is the chase to do as much improvement for as little $.

Also the ears, brain, emotional state and physical condition at any given time will determine in part how we perceive our systems to sound. And then there's the room...

Nice setup and I like the CJ addition; they make great gear.

I am a hater of Pre-amps! after 20 years of playing around in this wonderful hobby I have learned that pre-amps have the highest potential of messing things up.

Let's say you find your dream source, a great amp/speaker combination and a room that cooperates, all that can go to hell fast with the wrong Preamp. They are necessary for switching among multiple sources (most systems for sure) and to "attenuate" the playback level (90% of the time) and occasionally amplify the input level (10% of the time?).

My most satisfying solution has been the use of a passive pre. I am currently using a Luminous Axiom pre which is nothing more than a potentiometer shunted to a quality resistor. No switches what so ever in the signal path. I believe they do offer models with multiple inputs if needed. Most folks shy away from passive pre-amps because they are not as straight forward to apply. I have had terrific results with many amp/speaker combinations as long as you follow these simple rules:

Keep the interconnect runs short
Use amps with the highest possible input impedance (30K or higher, 100k best)
Use amps with an input sensitivity as low as possible (say 1 Volt or less for full output).
Source with 2 volt outputs or higher (most players)

What that means is if your amp is rated to put out 100 Watts at 1 volt and you run your CD player directly (or through the passive pre) at 2 volts you have more than enough to drive the amp to more than full rated output!

What you get is the least messing up of your source signal. Having said all that, there are excellent active preamps out there that don't mess up the signal AND make the sound more dynamic with slightly more detail due to the fact that impedance matching is no longer an issue and the signal goes through an amplification stage (only to be attenuated again!). Good preamps tend to be expensive.

Pick the best source
Don't mess it up with the pre
Choose an amp with the sound signature you like and enough power for your speakers/room
POSITION your speakers for best sound, this can be a drawn out effort.

Cheers