Which component imparts the biggest sonic signature ?

[RobbieGong]

Generally speaking, which component (turntable, amp, speakers - excluding cart) would you say imparts the biggest sonic signature ?

[synsei]

I reckon it would be the speakers

[purite audio]

Your room/ loudspeakers.
Keith.

[Oldpinkman]

Your room/ loudspeakers.
Keith.

Unless using headphones I usually make exactly the same comment (trying to get Steadman to understand it is room before speakers with his 57 fetish) but having spent the weekend playing with cans i thought I'd be a smart-arse

[Macca]

I'd say turntable/cart as any decent speaker will reveal the character of that combination. I've never swapped speakers (or changed rooms) and thought 'wow my TT sounds totally different'

[Reffc]

Speakers. Without them you don't get much in the way of any sonic signature

Speakers/room, and how the speakers are designed in terms of axis/off axis response can make huge differences to the perception of music. More so than just about any other component in the chain.

[Arkless Electronics]

Speakers.... and yes as you have to listen to them somewhere the room...

[jandl100]

Speakers, then source, then amp, then cables and 'infrastructure'.
Assuming the room is a given.

All are important though. Any can fook up the sound.

[Gordon Steadman]

Unless using headphones I usually make exactly the same comment (trying to get Steadman to understand it is room before speakers with his 57 fetish) but having spent the weekend playing with cans i thought I'd be a smart-arse

Wot a load of old rubbish. 57s are different. They worked in a cupboard as well as a baronial dining hall. Can't imagine you trying to be a smartarse any more than me having a fetish

[YNWaN]

I think it depends what one means precisely by 'biggest difference'. For example, there is a big difference () between quantity and quality. I would agree that speakers (and room) make the biggest quantity difference, but this certainly isn't true with regard to quality (though obviously even that depends on what items are being compared).