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Which components knocked you out on first listen?

I've been listening to stereos since 1973 and I am still waiting to be truly knocked out by the sound of a component. I have sat in showrooms across the country and have been pleased by what I have heard but never truly blown away.
The closest I came was when I listened to a Meitner str-55 amp and VTL preamp a few years ago, sourced by a Linn Ikemi and Revel loudspeakers. However, I also have been moved by a
Apple computer cd drive, circa 1994 through a Creek 4040 and RA Lab speakers, estimated cost about $1,200; maybe more so than the Linn,Revel 10K system. How about you?
cody
dannyandelyse
26 posts
 
No paticular order

Quad 57s.....oh my
Baby Maggies....sweet
Early watt/pups..........BAM Bam!!

Krell KSA 100...BASSSSSSSSSSSSS
Stax Headphones...UNREAL...maybe SUREAL
Wolcott Amps on planar Infinitys....THE BEST
My first childs , first cry....UNBEATABLE
mikedimitrov's avatar
mikedimitrov
161 posts
 
Any Naim cd player
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
One could argue that this is not a componant, but I would disagree. The best componant I have ever heard was a pair of Purist Dominus interconnects. See my review if you are interested.

The cables knocked me out! Chin on floor amazement! Superlatives fail me. Nothing has ever impressed me more.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,685 posts
 
1. The Apogee Duetta II
2. The Revel Ultima Studio

Both were definitely keepers from the first note.
avnut
153 posts
 
My Wireworld ic's and speaker cables. These cables left me dazed and confused for a few weeks after installing them.

Also, the Avantgarde/BAT demo room at the 2003 HES. That demo was the closest thing to actual live music I have ever heard. The sound was real "live" music, not a stereo simulation of live music which can be all well and good. But that demo showed me what it really takes to really GET THERE!
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