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Cheap Stuff That Keeps Up?

I know that the old maxim, "You get what you pay for" is often true -- but what about those exceptional instances when it's not?

I own a few products that are so relatively cheap compared to the competition that it's digusting, while providing equal or near-equal performance. I am going to list some of my favorite overachievers and I'd like to hear from others who have found similar products.

If the owners of very expensive gear find this thread upsetting, I can't say I blame them. It is sort of unsettling to find products that cost 10% to 50% of what you bought that sound about as good!

1) Origin Live Rega RB 250 tone arm -- keeps up with some arms 3 and 4 times its price, albeit, VTA-setting is tedious and inconvenient. But when it's set right, look out!

2) ART DI/O DAC (about $200) offers performance as good as most $1000 to $2000 DACs, especially when used with Monolithic P3 power supply.

3) AR S112 PS subwoofer (16" cube, 120W powered 12" down-firing sub). I bought one on sale at 6th Avenue Electronics for my HT system for $150. Liked it so much I bought another for use with my B&W CDM 9NTs. It blends beautifully and has plenty of punch and very good articulation/definition. Does not go quite as low as my Paradigm Servo-15 -- does not cost $1500. AR also makes a powered, down-firing 15" sub for a little more money. I bought the 12" version because of it's more compact dimensions. Solid to below 30 Hz.

4) Z-man ASE tube line buffer. Want your sub-$1000 solid-state preamp (or inexpensive CD player) to sound like an expensive tube unit (and in some cases better!)? Add the Z-man ASE ($199 MSRP), change the stock Sovtec 12AX7 to a premium-quality 12AX7 (like a Mullard) and you will be there. The unit is especially useful because it will drive long cable runs due to its low output impedance.

That's all for now. What are your giant-killer picks?

Happy Holidays to All!
plato
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
1. Any Spica speaker (used) : will image as well as anything up to $1500, and can be had for around $500.
2. Audiolab 8000A and 8000S seem to be ridiculously cheap on the used market in the US, and are rather good.
hdm
1,062 posts
 
I'll 2nd the Audiolab 8000A as a used bargain. I bought mine used about 10 years ago for about $275. This amp responds extremely well to a decent power cord (I've used mine with both Cardas Golden and Blue Circle BC 62) and for $400 or $500 for the combination (amp and cord) will, in my opinion compare very favourably to much more expensive competition.
theduke
372 posts
 
Can't beat Acoustat 1+1 ESL speakers. An allmost full range electrostatic speaker for $500 to $750 on the used market!
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Yes duke, If you have the ceiling height the Acoustat 1+1s are an incredible bargain for the level of reproduction they can provide. Mate them with a nice gutsy solid-state amp and a decent tube preamp, add subwoofers and let 'er rip!

I was fortunate to hear a pair that had the perimeter of the panels mortited and crossed over to a pair of attached Maggie ribbon tweeters and those speakers did some things amazingly well. They had the most articulate mid to upper bass response I can remember hearing at any time. My friend Bill Legall of MillerSound put them together and I believe he still has them. They were mated to a Cambridge preamp and CD player at the time I heard them. :)
3ox
29 posts
 
A few from the bag of tricks...
1) Musical Fidelity A1...20w hotter than he!! (runs class A) but schweeet! $200 to $300 used.
2) Most old Spendors, esp. BC1 (400-600bux) SP1 (around 500bux) Can't play real loud but tonally exquisite, nice.
3) Harmon Kardon Citation 1 preamp...most of the "vintage guys" don't like this. Good! More for me. In the meantime, a very good, well built preamp w/phono (of course) for $400.
4) Rega RB300 arm...competitive and available used for $300 or so.
5) Dyna ST 70 you know good ol' reliable a little pricier than it was but still reasonable at $350-$450 30 w tubes.
6) Original Pro-Ac tablettes I know NO BASS but nice mids. small take'em with you size for around $400.
7) Old Scott/Fisher tube integrateds. If you gotta keep it REAL cheep, haunt 2nd hand and flea markets for these. The Salvation Army price is $20 to $50 bux with some persistance. Not bad sound.
8) Cheap wire (entry AQ, etc). No flames, please! I know wire can make a difference, but if funds are low, economize here till you can afford better.
9) Older Creek amps. Not quite as good as Musical Fidelity A1 (IMHO) but easier to find and good in their own right.
10) Old LP12, pre-valhalla/nirvana style go for around $500 plus or minus. Still a nice TT.
11) Cheep CD player (see Cheap Wire...)

Kevin
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