An audio component you just can't let go

Tascam DA-3000. This unit can record 24-192hz or DSD from Quboz or whatever sources.

The only problem is Tascam is a terrible company. Its service is really terrible. Instead of fixing mine under warranty, after 8 months in their possession I ended up having them send it back unrepaired. Terrible, terrible, terrible service, rude etc. They actually bragged about them having units for over 2 years unrepaired!

I ended up buying another unit used elsewhere.

ozzy

30 yo VPI 19 Mk IV turntable.  Modified with a SOTA Total Eclipse standalone motor assembly and modified suspension. I know it has a well bearing and relatively small (11 inch/16 pound) platter, but its lead/delrin/cork construction sounds nice enough.  They don't make them anymore but it's likely because of the lead in the platter and not the sound. It runs an equally ancient modified Eminent Technology 2 tonearm with high pressure manifold. While they are anachronisms, they have been brought to the future with a DS Audio cartridge and equalizer. This blend of old and new still sounds more musical than my much more expensive digital front end. 

Bryston B60 & Thiel CS1.5 - bought as a gift to myself for the birth of my twins 28 years ago. They represent personal accomplishment, financial accomplishment and SQ accomplishment; I still marvel at their sound to this day when I set them up every now and then. I regret that neither offspring are remotely interested in inheriting them ....sigh.

My Pass XA-30.8 power amp.  It’s too heavy to ship, so I can’t sell it, and it’s too hard to move around, also because of the weight.  But the real reason is that it will drive most any pair of speakers, and make them sound as good as they are capable of sounding.  A keeper!

Thorens TD150 mkII - I have demoed a fair number of new turntables costing up to three grand and have not been tempted to change out this old Thorens.  I like what Rega Planar 8 and a Well Tempered table offer, but not enough to cough up the cash.  The TD150 mkII is sitting on Mapleshade isolation system, which is definitely an improvement, and I am using a Nagaoka MP-500 cartridge which is a good match for the stock arm on the Thorens.

kn