Best surprisingly good value component


Like many of you, I try many components, liking many of them, before settling on one for the final system component (thank God for Audiogon, and buying and selling used gear). Many times I am shocked that the biggest name, and most expensive doesn't sound the best in my system.

I tried many (11) DAC's before settling on the Bryston that I had in my system for a long time. I have had many, many subs, and even more phono stages, both tubed and SS.

So my question is what is the component you have in your system now that is the "best bargain". In other words probably much below the cost of the other components, but you just can't get rid of it because it sounds so good?

For me it's easy: PS Audio GCPH Phono Stage modded by Parts Connexion (sold mostly by Underwood). I bought this as I tried to find the best sub $5k phono stage I could get, and never found one that bettered this to my ear. I don't know that everyone would have this experience, but with my set up, I have yet to find a better phono stage.

I recently went to a higher output cartridge, and tried to go back to the phono stage on my Cary SLP98p F-1 that I have always loved, and found that the Modded PS Audio bests it in all ways by a mile.

Let's hear what your best "bargain" gear is?

I
macdadtexas
Meadowlark Audio Kestrels, either standard or Hot Rod versions as I've owned both. I bought my first pair when Meadowlark was still in business and two other pairs later on. They are the easiest to live with speakers I have owned, and I have tried a lot of speakers. If you want near full-range sound in a small room, they can't be beat.
Gallo Reference 3 or 3.1 speakers.You can pick up a used pair here on
Audiogon for well under $2,000. Gallo's "replacement" 3.5
models list for $6K and many folks, including the current Absolute
Sound issue, believe they're well worth it. Great speakers, IMHO. Dave
Sony XDR-F1HD tuner modded by Radio X Tuners. For $350 nothing else comes close.
Ditto the Logitech Squeezebox...
If you add a Channel Island power supply it gets even better but this thread is about "budget" components. The power supply cost as much as the Squeezebox itself.