Putting together a separates hi-fisystem with a turntable as the front end, or source, can be great fun. There are alternative options at all but the lowest budgets, and mixing and matching the different elements can sometimes deliver large differences in the resulting sound.
Generally speaking, the source – in this case the turntable, arm and cartridge – is the most critical element. The sound quality of any system depends on the source being able to extract maximum information with minimum distortion from the vinyl.
The best that the amplifier and speakers can do is deliver the musical signal without adding distortion or losing information – it’s a ‘least worst’ scenario. The system that gets the most signal into the room without adding its own characteristics is the best.