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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,509 posts
 
years ago, klipschorns and Magnepan Tympanis. Hearing them the first time may have been the event that made me into an audio nut for life.

mbl 101s almost did it more recently except I am a bit more jaded these days and harder to knock out.
digger945
1 posts
 
EAD DSP 7000 mkIII.
jhugg9
9 posts
 
Altec 19's. At Purchase Radio in Buffalo NY. I'm not even sure if these speakers were considered high end or not, but I remember hearing Aja by Steely Dan, and getting hooked on good sound.
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
iPod, ATC 100 speakers, Luxman 509 integrated amp, Benchmark DAC1, Leben 600 tube amp.
mrdecibel
3,066 posts
 
I was at my friend Scotts house. He had MBL101's with all top Jadis gear. He had an air bearing turntable and arm with a moving coil cartridge(I wish I remembered the phono gear). All top end. I brought over Santana "Amigos" and listened to both sides. He let me crank it to a level that I liked(he was not as loud of a listener). I placed myself closer to the speakers than he so we can both have the sweet spot. Sometime during the track "Europa" I became emotional and started to cry.
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