Nakamichi BX-300 Cassette Deck (owned from new in 1987, and sold it 17 years later) -- Same Performance, Same Sound Quality, and Same Refinement as their more expensive decks of the era (but without an automatic tape calibration system). Three Motors, Three Heads, Direct-Drive, Dual Capstans, Feather Touch Transport Controls.
I could still kick myself for selling that deck today. Unless I finally get me a ZX-9, a CR-7A, or a Dragon (which is the Holy Grail of these), what I wouldn't do to get my BX-300 back.
A "HONEY" of a Deck!!!! For Under $1,000.00!!
Pioneer Elite PD-65 Compact Disc Player -- Same build quality, and superb sound as their flagship player at the time (the Pioneer Elite PD-91), but without the elaborate circuitry. Had the same sound quality of the $2K Players (and I wanted a Pioneer Elite PD-91 too, and later on, a Meridian 508.24 too). That was saying a lot.
Pioneer Elite PD-65 -- $800.00 (in 1998), and used it for 15 Years (it finally died in 2013 -- the laser and servo mechanisms had developed issues).
I have an NAD 3140 Integrated Amplifier (Dual Channel with Dual Transformers, with 40 WPC, and it is a HEAVY ASS beast too) that is still boxed up now. I'm going to eventually put it to work in my bedroom, and then add a turntable to it, so I can listen to music in my bedroom, when I don't want to go into the living room and crank up the BIG/MAIN rig. The Speakers I hope to add to them are a pair of LSA-1's, or hook it up to my eventually retired KEF Reference 102's (with KUBE)(which then, the main rig will be getting a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures with an Adcom GFA-555se). A lot of amplifier for an affordable price. I would put it on par with an expensive integrated from back in the day that is two times the price tag. Has a nice Phono Stage too.
NAD 3140 Dual-Channel Integrated Amplifier -- $150 (Used)
--Charles--
