What’s your latest high-end audio purchase?


What’s your latest high-end audio purchase?  It can be cables, tweaks, components etc.  Also, please share why you purchased, what it replaced, and any additional tips and insights regarding your purchase.  
 

I hoping for this to be enjoyable and educational, so please be civil of other’s opinions and choices.

kennyc

Used B&W 800D3, McIntosh MC611 mono-amps, & McIntosh C12000ST/C12000C preamp. Working on a suitable Cables/Interconnects, Streamer (since I have a ref DAC with the preamp I am not sure which Streamer to purchase, don't want to duplicate a similar DAC with a great  streaming).  Also considering the HIFI Rose 150b. Also considering McIntosh MCD 12000 SACD/CD player.

High end is a relative term.  I cannot relate to those who spend $30K or more on an audio or A/V system.   So for me with my modest budget and a/v system costing less than $5k including TV and cabinet it was an Onkyo 6050 receiver at Costco for less than $500.

Parasound A23+ power amp to replace a decades-old A23.  Unexpected and very welcome improvements, including more detail, bass extension, and slam that I didn’t know my otherwise somewhat clinical Athena AS-F2s were capable of.

Almost all of my equipment is les than 6 months old, but the two pieces that hit WAY above their price point: Denafrips Pontus II DAC (especially with Iris DDC), and Buchardt Audi S400 MkII speakers…..amazing value audio equipment 

Several Cardas clear beyond power cords to replace the oem ones to my amps...yes I can hear a clear difference for the better