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
I'm relatively new to digital sources/components, however, I have to say that I'm impressed with the ART Di/O once it has been heavily modified. Is it a giant killer? I don't know, like I said, I'm new to digits ...
This is an interesting thread that can spawn ideas for some great performing low-cost systems. Keep the ideas coming, but remember, the goal is to list those components that provide exceedingly high sound quality for very few dollars. Try to stay under $1000 or better still, under $500 for any single component. Used gear can be included, as long as it's qualified as such. Thanks to those who've replied so far. :)
The original giant killer, the NAD 3020 integrated. You see the 3020's come up every so often for around $150. In the same league is the B&W DM302 speakers @ $200, incredible value. Ridiculous how good these little monitors are for the money, irritates me B&W discontinued the 302's last year and replaced them with a more expensive model.
Jeff, I own a NAD 3020 integrated and couldn't agree more. Even by today's standards it offers surprisingly good sonic performance that is on par with much more expensive units. I'll take your word on the B&W DM302s, though I have not heard that particular model. Thanks!