The missing piece

Probably a tie between the Avid Volvere and the Vandersteen 5s. One expects an audible difference with speakers (voicing, room interaction) so maybe that's a bit of ringer. The Avid was a huge leap forward in analog for me.

Two pieces of equipment for me: 1) Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24 cd player/ preamp and 2) Shure SC 35C phono cartridge.

The CR PRE 24 was the best cd player and preamp I had/ have used. Granted I prefer to buy my equipment new and typically when it is being discontinued and my systems have a definite mid-fi feel to them, still the sound, appearance, and build of the CD PRE 24 has me trying to score a NOS piece, for when the one I have needs to be replaced.

I got back into vinyl about a year or so ago and was just not feeling it and was ready to throw in the towel. I experimented with quite a few cartridges and still nothing, until I tried the Shure SC 35C. Not only is it good for the price, it is just plain good.

Rich

Other pieces I got the greatest impact with was a Musical Design t100 amp and the sp1 preamp, in fact I was so impressed with these components I sold my Parasound a21 and p5 so I would have the funds to buy them.

"What is a piece of equipment you added to your system and it made such a huge impact you knew you would never get rid of it?"

Its not about 1 piece that fixes everything. System matching is the most important part of the system. You can have plenty of great components, but if they are not properly matched, you won't be able to hear what they can do.

Oh I hear what they can do. and I agree with you. but one thing I would never part with is the Summits.