Which components knocked you out on first listen?

Demos of the following were so dramatically better/different from what I was used to listening to, the experience was thrilling:

Wilson Maxx/Halcro multi-channel system at CES.
Apogee Scintilla, Apogee Diva/DAX
Custom Speaker system utilizing giant Western Electric midrange horns.
Custom made OTL amps (not even a blocking cap on the output)
S.A.P, J-2001 (twin) speakers*
Audionote Kageki (uk) SET amplifiers*
Audionote DAC-5 Signature digital-analog converter
NAIM CDS3 CD player*
The big @ $50k TAD speakers (too bright and hard sounding for me to want to own it, but transient attack is absolutely amazing)
Overkill Audio speaker with Manger driver

Items marked with * I actually have purchased.

H2O Signature. It is By far the best amp I have ever heard.

the Von Gaylord LAD-L2 Preamp. I sold a BAT VK51 SE after hearing this pre and i think it can hold it's own with the VTL

Easy ...

Audio Research SP10 Mk11
Audio Research D115 Mk11
Mark Levinson ML2 (a little known but awesome class A trannie)
DNM Series 3a Six Pack Pre Amp
Martin Logan CLS with Kinergetics SW800 Subwoofer
Oxford Crytal Reference turntable with Airtangent arm and Koetsu Rosewood signature cartridge
Fourier Components Sans Pareil OTL Valve Amps
California Audio Labs Tempest II SE Cd

Cambridge Audio for the money
Jolida 1501a hybrid integrated just sounds right, cost practically nothing and is a keeper.