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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
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Terrific Game Changer Experience from my memory:

Fidelity Research FR-64s (compared to Graham Phantom Supreme II)
Lamm LL2 (compared to Aesthetix Callisto Signature)
Lamm ML2.1 (compared to Atma-Sphre M-60 II.3)
Micro Seiki 5000 (compared to Kuzma Reference)
Takeda Miyabi (compared to Koetsu Coralstone)
Rowland Cadence with own BPS (compared to Klyne 7 Phono)
Signal Cable Silver Resolution (compared to Purist Audio Venustas)
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
1970: ESS Transtatics, 1972: Magneplanars Tympani I-U's, 1974: Fulton Model J's. All speakers.
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bdp24
9,788 posts
 
I take it back! My number one knock-out was hearing a Decca cartridge for the first time. The immediacy, the presence, the dynamics, the color! Makes all other cartridges sound like pale ghostly apparitions.
mdhoover
695 posts
 
HiFiMAN HE-1000 planar magnetic headphones at Axpona. Astounding! Audiophile cliches are actually justified for these: "Game changers"

LISTEN to these if you ever get the chance.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
gmrph85
1 posts
 
1985, the Mati Otala Citation XX amp.
I had a tube mac amp at the time and it sounded as if you had removed some heavy moving blankets of the speakers. I still use it as a back up.
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