Gonna see if I can ask this question correctly:
A phono cartridge can change how a vinyl record sounds quite significantly. But if I have to choose between upgrading to a high end cartridge or to a high end stereo, which will make a more noticeable difference and how?
Now with CD’s, what would greatly alter the sound the most? The player or the stereo?
The speakers are also at play in this and even wires and all the pieces like pre-amps, etc. when I’m asking this question.
But what singular piece of equipment can effect how something sounds, and will it change from source to source (cd’s, vinyl, digital, etc.)?
The source is absolutely the most important part of the system. It doesn’t matter what it is, record deck, cd player or streamer. If the sound going into the amp and speakers is crap, the output will be crap. The best speakers in the world can only reproduce what they are given. You need detail at the beginning of the chain. Nothing can add it later.