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What are/were the best sounding cheap components you have ever had?

It is easy to like the best of the best, so to say.  However it is always satifying and memorable when an inexpensive product turns out to be very good to great. 

Some that come to mind from personal experience"

Large Advents (original)

Early Nakamichi SR receivers

Original Monster interconnects and speaker wire

Pioneer Pl-12 turntable

Shure M-95

Early Stax and Audio Technica headphones

MoFi "special" pressings

Magnum Dynalab Etude.  Yes some were better, but a real value

The Absolute Sound mag in the beginning 

Early Conrad-Johnson and Audio Research tube electronics

Early Classe integrated amps.

The original Sony Trinitrons

And there are others....but part of this hobby is enjoying the journey.

Have you had cost effective items that were successful for your enjoyment?

jusam
treynolds155
184 posts
 

Parasound Zamp3 is my number 1 answer, just love that little sucker.

Schiit Saga Pre, simply operation and transparent as can be.  

markiew
36 posts
 

Fo.Q TA-102 tape stuck to the capacitors of my system.  Their positive impact far outweighed their cost

markpao
519 posts
 

 I'm surprised Magnepan hasn't been mentioned yet (unless I missed it somewhere). I bought a pair of the LSR's for my son and a was simply amazed what those speakers could do at that price. 

lanx0003
819 posts
 

I had Loxjie a30 ($180) + Sony sscs5 ($90).  Resolving treble and non-sluggish bass with reasonably large soundstage.  I enjoyed it.  

migueca's avatar
migueca
112 posts
 

Dayton Audio class D amplifier - for less than $100 it punched a crazy sound! 
Amari LP10 turntable - around $500 in China. Very very good at this price. 
Dali Zensor 1 speakers. Surprisingly fantastic entry level speakers. 
Pure Avalon tabletop radio - it is by far my most listened piece of gear. It’s playing  almost 24/7 and it sounds great in my kitchen. 
Oppo bdp 103 - second hand. Great player!

Bluesound Node - second hand. This really made a change in my house for the best. 

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