What's your High End best buy/unknown components?

A true bargain is the Monarchy Audio SE160 mono amps. These things are single ended hybrids with a 6922 front end, solid state output. They run in class A up to 50 watts. They are 160w into 8 ohms and 320w into 4 ohms. These things haven't been out that long, and they retail for $4000., but I just picked up some CES 2003 demos for under $2000. The imaging is the best I've heard from solid state. Images are dense and rounded, yet very focused. The mids are rich and full bodied, and the soundstage depth and layering is stunning. These things easily compare to some of the best amps out there after you replace the 6922s with NOS and use tube dampers. Really incredible for the money.

Supratek-- see the "best preamps under $10k" thread

They are not unknown but for my freinds who aren't 'Philes I always tell them to look at the Acurus DIA100/150.Built like tanks and fine sound with plenty of curent delivery they take the newbie into a new world.Used they go for $350 for the hundred watt and if they need the remote the 150 watt can be had for $750.Just trying to convince the uninitiated that doing without tone controls means better sound is the hard part as they can't have there cake and eat it to.Though it's good that there is McIntosh for for them albeit at a higher price.Always trying to drag the newcomer in as many of my posts attest to.

In my system(s) probably the Music & Sound, and Millersound interconnects.

Can I count my Albert Porter cyro'd Hubbel outlets?

The best "unknown" brand IMHO is Rosinante, owned and run by Ric Cummins. I own his speakers and cables and am incredibly happy with them all. You may be more familiar with Ric's original claim-to-fame, the highly regarded Argent Room Lens. I own a set of these as well. All his products are superb, and actually work together to create a sonic experience where the sum is greater than the whole. I believe Argent and Rosinante share manufacturing facilities.

For several years at CES Ric paired with Joe Fratus of Art Audio to exhibit his products. They always received glowing reviews from those that visited their room. In fact, that's where my friends and I first heard his incredible "Dulcinea" stand-mounted monitor. Using Focal drivers and a proprietary damping material known as "Dark Matter", Ric's been able to sculpt and assemble a startlingly good speaker. I use the word sculp, because besides being an obviously gifted speaker designer, Ric was originally a sculptor. He put those talents to good use in designing the interior cabinet of the Dulcinea, which has no internal parallel surfaces.

Unfortunately Rosinante suffers from the same problem other less well-known brands do, that being an almost complete lack of exposure. Due to the major mags policies of not reviewing equipment unless the manufacturer meets certain distribution requirements, this fine equipment never gets the press it deserves. However one exception is Clement Perry's review of the Dulcineas and Art Audio Jota amp in "The Stereo Times". The full review may be found on the Rosinante website, www.roomlens.com.

My audiophile friends, including a couple of dealers all marvel at the performance of Ric's speakers and cables. In fact I actually sold my Valhalla IC's and replaced them with Ric's Jaden line of cables after a direct comparison. Not only did I improve the performance of my system, but saved a bunch of money to boot, since Ric's cables are not nearly as pricey. BTW, Ric winds all his cables by hand.

OK, enough. After reading through this thread I realize I'm starting to sound like a paid advertisement. I have no stake or interest in Rosinante or Argent, other than I'd like to see the line prosper so that other audio enthusiasts can experience the level of performace and joy that my friends and I do.