I agree that speakers are the most important. There are just certain aspects that make me go blah when I listen. Until I move out, I don't have enough room between my sitting position and the speakers themselves. That's the biggest problem, but that's not the fault of the speakers. The only real fault of the speakers is that I'd like a bit more bottom end, but I knew that before I purchased them.
I need to try a different preamp to see if that's the source of my woes. I think it is, but shouldn't impulsively buy a pre without knowing for sure that's my problem.