amplifier (i.e. no volume control). If you are using an integrated stereo amp, or a receiver they have the preamp built into them. A $200 integrated amp will almost always outperform a $7-800 receiver. Some terrible advice here - good speakers won't make a bad sound better. If anything they will just highlight how bad the sound really is. No, the original sound source must be of high quality, so that every component in the sound chain can deliver the best possible results [sound]. If any component can't match the quality of the signal being passed to it, then the resulting sound quality will be degraded. Even cheap cables can reduce the sound quality. Can I also suggest independant review sites in general. Sites that don't take advertising surely have zero bias, well almost zero. http://inside-av.com/index.html seem like a couple of old shool honest blokes who know about sound and run a semi amusing podcast as well. Have fun with sound, Bill. Don't lose sight of the reasons why you wanted better sound quality. Instead of enjoying the music you like, you'll pick it apart and end up chasing your tail looking for the next best piece of kit while listening to 'pretentious old man music'. Which is about 90% of what you'll find on places like HD tracks (they don't 'sell' outside the US, but they take paypal and give product and seem not to care) With better gear, you can still enjoy modern material, you just have to